he

Vol. 68, No. 7

T
Courier Bellingham First Christian Church
An Open and Affirming Congregation July 2018

Introducing: Justice Sunday

Sunday, July 29
10:20a
Gathering Time
10:30a Worship
11:45a Potluck
Brunch/Lunch
The Jesus within us
has discovered that we Seeking Summer Office Help
don’t always have enough
people to do tasks outside of As our staff will be away for part of the
our building. Thus, we are summer, we are currently seeking volunteers
renaming our Jesus Has Left to greet visitors, answer phones, and collect
the Building event “Justice the mail. The responsibilities are minimal and
Sunday” and this month’s activities will the hours are short, but this is a vital part of
all take place at the church. They will include keeping our church functioning during the
signing justice letters with Bruce Radtke and summer months.
assembling blessing bags. Please contact Tamalyn if you are available
The following items are needed for our bags: to mind the office 9a - noon on any of the
• 1 gallon ziploc bags following days:
• granola or cereal bar or crackers with peanut Tuesday, July 17 - Friday, July 20
butter or cheese or tuna & crackers
Tuesday, July 24 - Friday, July 27
• fruit/applesauce/pudding cups (with or without
plastic spoon) Tuesday, August 28 - Friday, August 31
• small bags of nuts or trail mix Tuesday, September 4 - Friday, September 7
• mints, hard candy, cough drops or gum
• fruit juice or drink mix packet or bottle of water Thank you for your assistance and your
patience in this matter.
Optional items:
• chapstick
• hand wipes
• socks “Truly I tell you, just as you
• toothbrush & toothpaste did it to one of the least of
• nail clippers
these who are members of my
• comb or small brush
• bandaids family, you did it to me.”
• pack of Kleenex
Matthew 25:40
Thank you!
Shoe’s News

First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)
Shoe’s News
“When Religion and Politics Mix”
495 East Bakerview Road
I suppose that when you called me to be your pastor those many
Bellingham, WA 98226
360.734.6820 years ago, you couldn’t have imagined that I would have blurred
office@bellinghamdisciples.org the line between politics and religion as often as I have. Truth be
www.bellinghamdisciples.org told, I’d rather not do that at all. I don’t want to have to address
Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter issues that cross over between faith and politics.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) But the reality of the situations that we have found ourselves facing
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented
as a congregation and as a society have nearly necessitated that I
world. As part of the one body of Christ, we
welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God speak out. For instance, when the basic rights of LGBTQ folks are
welcomed us. being denied by society and the government, that becomes a faith
issue. When the country goes to war and our young people and the
All of Us
Ministers people of other lands are being destroyed because of petty issues
Rev. Gary Shoemaker
and oil, it becomes a faith issue. When gun violence is destroying
Pastor the safety and psyche of our youngest generation, it becomes a
gary@bellinghamdisciples.org faith issue. When the powers that be treat particular groups of
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman people as if they weren’t people, it becomes a faith issue.
Director of Education & Community Outreach A few Sundays ago, I mentioned the alarming practice of
Courier Editor
tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org
separating children from their parents in my sermon. I normally
don’t see that as a political issue, but a faith issue. Unfortunately, it
Amelia Nye has become a political issue. So the lines have been blurred once
Accompanist
again.
Katie Ramstead
Childcare Provider In another part of the newsletter you’ll find a statement from a
Rev. Sandy Messick variety of religious leaders, including our own General Minister and
Regional Minister President, Terri Horde Owens, that addresses the outrage being felt
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens in the religious community over the current policy that is separating
General Minister and President about 70 more children a day from their mothers and fathers. They
Sunday Schedule (Memorial Day - Labor Day) have even opened up ‘Tender Aged’ camps for babies and infants.
10:20a Gathering Time Religious or not, we must draw a line that we just won’t cross. The
10:30a Worship fact that we are ripping apart families whose only crime is attempting
11:45a Fellowship Time
to escape the violence of their homeland and come to a country where
1p Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday)
2p Someone Cares! Community Meal they know they’ll be safe, has definitely crossed a line.
(2nd Sunday) As followers of Jesus, who spoke often about the importance of
Office Hours children, we must do whatever we can to stop this insanity.
Tuesday - Friday
Children should not be used as pawns in a political game to put
9 a.m. - noon
Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the pressure on congress to rework immigration policy.
week. Please feel free to stop by during their office So, like it or not, as long as reality blurs the lines between faith and
hours or make an appointment that fits your schedule. politics, we must speak out to the assembled faith communities to
Officers mobilize them to action. Hopefully, you don’t see me as being
Renee Hoemann, Moderator partisan, I would never tell you how to vote. But I will definitely tell
Don Hoffman, Vice Moderator
you when I think there is injustice, prejudice, public safety issues
Cheryl Perry, Treasurer
Melissa Henderson, Secretary or basic human rights violations being conducted by our political
leaders.
Important Links:
Regional Website (including monthly Hopefully, you’re not too offended. But then again, perhaps that’s
newsletter): disciplesnw.org OK as long as it leads to action.
General Church Website: disciples.org
Pastor Gary

2 July 2018
Faith Leaders’ Statement on Family Separation
June 7, 2018
FAITH LEADERS’ STATEMENT ON FAMILY SEPARATION
Recently, the U.S. Administration announced that it will begin separating families and criminally prosecuting
all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. As religious leaders representing diverse faith
perspectives, united in our concern for the well-being of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing
from danger and threats to their lives, we are deeply disappointed and pained to hear this news.
We affirm the family as a foundational societal structure to support human community and understand the
household as an estate blessed by God. The security of the family provides critical mental, physical and
emotional support to the development and wellbeing of children. Our congregations and agencies serve
many migrant families that have recently arrived in the United States. Leaving their communities is often the
only option they have to provide safety for their children and protect them from harm. Tearing children away
from parents who have made a dangerous journey to provide a safe and sufficient life for them is
unnecessarily cruel and detrimental to the well-being of parents and children.
As we continue to serve and love our neighbor, we pray for the children and families that will suffer due to this
policy and urge the Administration to stop their policy of separating families.

His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
 The Rev. Teresa Hord Owens

Diocesan Legate and
 General Minister and President

Director of the Ecumenical Office
 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Rabbi Rick Jacobs

Mr. Azhar Azeez
 President

President
 Union for Reform Judaism
Islamic Society of North America Mr. Anwar Khan

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera
 President

Bishop of Scranton, PA
 Islamic Relief USA
Chair, Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller

Interreligious Affairs President, Provincial Elders’ Conference

Senior Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.
 Moravian Church Northern Province
Presiding Prelate, Piedmont Episcopal District
 The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Stated Clerk

Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, Jr.
 Presbyterian Church (USA)
President, Council of Bishops
 Rabbi Jonah Pester

The United Methodist Church Director

The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
 Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Presiding Bishop
 The Rev. Don Post

Episcopal Church (United States) Interim General Secretary

The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer
 The Rev. Eddy Alemán

General Minister & President
 Candidate for General Secretary

United Church of Christ Reformed Church in America
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
 Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick III

Presiding Bishop
 Presiding Bishop, The 8th Episcopal District

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
The Rev. David Guthrie
 The Rev. Phil Tom

President, Provincial Elders’ Conference
 Executive Director

Moravian Church Southern Province International Council of Community Churches
Mr. Glen Guyton
 Senior Bishop McKinley Young
Executive Director
 Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District
Mennonite Church USA African Methodist Episcopal Church

July 2018 3
Who’s on First?! Birthdays & Anniversaries God at Work in Us

Sunday, July 1
Elder: Linda Heyne Happy Birthday
Angel Herrera 22
In Home Communion: Jane Kletka Don Hoffman 1
Marlin Erickson 25
Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Bentley Becker Melody Hoffman 2
Preston Pinkston 27
Reader: James Becker Bekki Weston 7
Debbie Ruther 28
Children’s Moment: Tamalyn Kralman Wayne Deming 9
Karen Gilda 31
Children’s Church: Linda Heyne Robert Naidu 10
Flowers: TBD Chuck Page 13
Fellowship Time: TBD, honoring July birthdays Linda Heyne 15
Happy Anniversary
Debbie O'Neal 15
Sunday, July 8 Chuck & Darleen Page 11
Tamalyn Kralman 16
Elder: Brenda Riseland
Deacons: James Becker, Linda Heyne
Reader: Megan Shoemaker
Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)
Children’s Moment: Linda Heyne
Children’s Church: Linda Botts • Annual Bazaar • Family Promise Day
Flowers: TBD • Alternative Christmas Center
Fellowship Time: TBD Faire • Family Promise Hosts
• Blessing Bags • Food Bank collections
Sunday, July 15 • CAST • Joseph’s Closet
Elder: Kelvin Smith • Clean Water Projects • Jesus Has Left the
Deacons: Renee Hoemann, Celia Obrecht • Comfort Quilt Ministry Building/Justice
Reader: Darleen Page • Community Gardens Sunday
Children’s Moment: Megan Shoemaker • Community Meal • Socks on the Street
Children’s Church: Katie Ramstead
Flowers: TBD For more info on how to assist in any of these projects,
Fellowship Time: Book Group please contact us at office@bellinghamdisciples.org.

Sunday, July 22
Be a Part of A Small Group (nurture your soul)
Elder: Jane Kletka
• Women's Spiritual Growth Groups - Please contact
Deacons: Melissa Henderson, Kris Ann Lewis
the church office if you would like to be a part of a group.
Reader: Fran Frazee
• Out-to-Lunch Bunch, 12:30 p.m., 4th Sundays - An
Children’s Moment: Tamalyn Kralman
informal gathering that visits locally owned restaurants.
Children’s Church: Tamalyn
• Book Group, 7 p.m., 4th Sundays - This group
Flowers & Fellowship Time: Esther Group
explores books to expand their minds and hearts.
Sunday, July 29 • Esther Group, 11:30 a.m., 3rd Mondays - A women's
Elder: Leslie Pinkston group that meets for lunch in local restaurants. (No host.)
Deacons: Linda Heyne, James Becker • Bible Study, Noon, Tuesdays - Meeting in the church
Reader: Melissa Henderson library, this group explores the lectionary scriptures.
Children’s Moment: • Pub Theology, 6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursdays - Beer,
Children’s Church: conversation, and God! (Or any beverage of your choice.)
Flowers: TBD Jeckyl & Hyde Deli & Ale House 709 Orchard Pl #1.
Fellowship Time: Potluck • Checking in Group, 5 p.m., 4th Thursdays -supportive
Sign up in the fellowship hall to help in these group of people who share life's journey together.
important ministries: • Men's Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Saturdays at Denny's - 

• Read scripture during Sunday morning worship All men are invited to join this weekly breakfast group for
• Bring flowers for worship or treats for fellowship fun and fellowship. (No host.)


4 July 2018
Thank You Received from Global Joys and Concerns
Ministries Please submit written requests to update list.
For a complete list, please see the Sunday bulletin or
contact the office.

Medical concerns:
• Bruce Wheeler
• Rev. Gary Shoemaker
• Darleen Page & Family
• Ellen Fisher, Bob’s sister-in-
law
• Helen Blaney
• Kelly Franks
• Marian Crim
• Daisy Shoemaker, Pastor Gary’s mom
• Steve Shoemaker, Pastor Gary’s brother
• Chloe Gibson
Young GMIT members perform a cultural dance • Gary Schwebel, Diana Findlay’s son
• Pat Spiller, Kris Ann’s stepdad-in-law & Vivian
Dear Friends: Lewis, Kris Ann’s mother-in law & entire Lewis/
Global ministries thanks you for your gift in the Spiller family
amount of $2,320.50. As indicated, $1,877.11 will be Life’s challenges:
used for Global Ministries water projects and $443.39 • Katie, Bob Fisher’s daughter
will be used for the general work of Global Ministries. • Kris Ann Lewis’s family: brother Phil, sister-in-
Your generosity accompanies helpers all over the law Cary, nephew Matt, niece Hannah, Brenchly
world. family
Beyond Our Walls:
In Indonesia, human trafficking is a growing issue, • For the healing of our nation
and many who have been trafficked are returning • Refugees worldwide
back home in coffins. But if you look for the • Iglesia de Dios, as together we share God’s
helpers, you will find the Evangelical Church of West love
Timor (GMOT_ which is advocating for justice and • Raices Culturales/Community to Community
providing shelter for individuals and families who have families in their gardening program in our field
experienced the horrors of trafficking. • Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana
• Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister and
You, too are a helper through your gifts to Global President
Ministries. Thank you for your contribution which • Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister
supports God’s mission in the world. and President
• Our General Church ministries
Sincerely, • Yakama Christian Mission
Rev. Jane Sullivan-Davis, CFRE • Victims of hatred, injustice, violence, poverty,
Executive for Resource Development disease, and disaster worldwide
Global Ministries • All troops involved in world conflict
• Peacemakers worldwide

Register Now for the

Common Table
We will begin with dinner on Friday
evening, September 7 and conclude
Saturday afternoon at 3pm. We will be
gathering in fellowship with members of
both the Northwest and Montana regions to worship together, build and strengthen relationships and begin defining the
structure, staffing, and naming of our new shared region. For more info visit disciplesnw.org or contact the office.

July 2018 5
Congratulations to
this Year’s Graduate,
Abigail Hulbert!
Abby graduated from
Squalicum High School on Saturday,
June 9. To celebrate her graduation, she will
be taking a 10 day Mediterranean Cruise
and coming back to attending Whatcom
Community College this fall.
If you would like to bring a card or gift to
honor Abby’s momentous occasion, you may
drop it in the church office and we will make
sure it is delivered to her.
A Message from Your Community
Meal Task Force
On Sunday, June 17, I used the following
piece for my Offertory Message to the
congregation. I have asked that it be printed
in the Courier for those who were not able to
attend worship that morning:
We Have Lawn Mower Woes
Sadly, our faithful lawn mower
has a big owie. We have
investigated all possibilities,
and have found that we have
two choices:
1. Purchase a new mower.
This would be CRAZY
expensive! Not a good option
for us at this time.
2. Repair the mower. This is the option the
Board and Trustees wisely chose.
SO, we now have an unexpected and unbudgeted
$2,225.00 bill to pay. Your Stewardship Ministry
and the Board are asking that you prayerfully
consider whether you can help offset this cost.
(Yes, this would be over and above what you are
already giving.) Please clearly mark your gift
“Mower” and send it to the office or place in the
Offering on Sunday.
Thank you for your consideration and help.

Today, I am representing the Someone Cares Community Meal Task Force which is comprised of
Ann Hall, Tamalyn Kralman, Bruce Radtke, Megan Shoemaker, and myself. First of all, I want to
thank this congregation for the wonderful support: financial, food donations and people-power for
the Someone Cares Meal program. I think it is truly an indication of First Christian Church’s
commitment to our brothers and sisters in Whatcom County so that many can enjoy a really good
meal once a month here in our Fellowship Hall and have done so for three years. Your support has
been heartfelt and almost overwhelming at times!

Currently the Someone Cares Meal Fund is at over $6000. Typically the meals cost around $200 a
month to put on. If you do the math, you can see that our Someone Cares Meals Program should
be able to continue on for quite awhile using the funds in that account. Quite often people will hand
me some cash toward meals and I want you to know that those cash donations are used by me or
another shopper to obtain last minute items needed for the meals.

The Meal Task Force would like to make a suggestion. Because the Meal Fund is doing so well,
perhaps people who have been regular donors to the Fund might wish to consider donating for
awhile to other needs within our church. We know there are many. If the Someone Cares Meal
Fund gets down to the $1500 level, we will let the congregation know of the need for funds again.

Your commitment and loyalty to the Someone Cares Meal Program has been and is awesome!
Thank you for all that you have done and will do in the future for this program!

Brenda Riseland

6 July 2018
Family Page

How to Talk to Your Kids About Families Kids’ Coloring Page

Being Forcibly Separated at the Border
by Elizabeth Yuko
America is not exactly an easy place to live right now. Coming to
terms with current events like the forcible separation of families
at the U.S.-Mexico border is difficult enough for adults, but
should you approach these tough topics with kids? We spoke
with several mental health professionals to get their advice on
how to explain to your child what's going on and how to protect
their mental health.
Be sure your message is age-appropriate
What — and how — you tell your children about unsettling
events in the news largely depends on their age.
“You don’t want to discuss too much with a young child and
scare them more than they may already be, but you also don’t
want to discuss too little with an older child causing them to
come to their own conclusions,” says Patti Sabla, a licensed Click here for a full size coloring page.
clinical social worker in Hawaii.
Don’t ignore what’s happening
Although you may think you are protecting your child, not talking
about what is currently going on can make it worse.
“Usually, what a child imagines — particularly with nuclear war or
war in general — can be a lot scarier than the truth,” Sabla Tips from Tam
explains. “They tend to imagine worst-case scenarios. Talking
about it can help alleviate their fears.” group of friends. Many of us find ourselves glued to our
cellphones, computers, and TVs these days.
Monitor their media intake
We are absorbed by the news and all that is
The 24-hour news cycle means that disturbing scenes — everything
coming across our screens. We get caught up
from children being held in cages to the president's former
in conversations we never dreamed we’d find
campaign manager making fun of a child with Down syndrome —
ourselves in. And our wee ones are watching
are shown on repeat. Try to limit your child’s exposure to the news
and listening. As they play, as they mill about,
coverage, suggests Keisha Blair, cofounder of Aspire-Canada, who
as they just go about their daily business,
has developed policies for clinical social workers and worked with
they are absorbing. They are learning. And,
traumatized kids in the social welfare system.
sadly, they are being impacted by our
Make sure they know they’re safe negative comments and energies.
Sometimes, if children don’t understand what they see on the
news, they might think they are personally in danger. We need to be aware of all we say and do.
“Reassure them about their own personal safety,” Blair says. “Let We need to remember that we are growing
them know there are responsible adults around them that have their brains and their spirits and their faith
taken all precautions necessary to ensure their physical safety.” with every snippet of info we pour into them.
The big messages and the small.
Check in with them
You don’t necessarily need to mention specific news events when As we help these children to grow into God’s
talking to your kids, says Sabla. Rather, you can ask if they have beautiful, faithful, wondrous beings, may we
seen or heard anything upsetting to them that they’d like to discuss. be the beautiful, faithful, wondrous beings
Validate their feelings God has called us to be. The world will be a
Once you've heard what they think and understand, spend time better place because of it. Now and in the
talking about what the event makes them feel, and validate future.
whatever feelings arise, Francis suggests. May God’s Spirit of Wisdom be with you,
Focus on compassion Tamalyn
Barthels suggests using this time to spark your child’s
compassion.
To read this article in its entirety, visit https://
Devotions & Faith Focus provided by:
www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/1135597/talk-
to-your-kids-about-news faithformationjourneys.org

July 2018 7
8
July 2018
First Christian Church, Christian Holidays Jul 2018 (Pacific Time)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 7pm - [4H] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's
Time Scouts] Dios] Brkfst,
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] Office closed for 9
D ae n
mn-y [Iglesia
's de
holiday Dios]
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowshi 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia
p time Apostolica]
6 p m - [Iglesia
Apostolica]
July 2018 calendar

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering 6 : 3 0 p m - Stewardshi 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 1:30pm - [Communit 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's
Time p Mtg y to Dios] Brkfst,
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 9 a m - [Interfaith Communit 9
D ae n
mn-y [Iglesia
's de
Scouts] Coalition Staff y mtg] Dios]
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowshi 6
M:t3g0]p m - [ I g l e s i a
p time Apostolica]
2 p m - Community
Meal
6 p m - [Iglesia
Apostolica]
15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Courier deadline Pastors away

1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Esther 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 6 : 3 0 p m - Pub 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's
Time Grp Theology, Dios] Brkfst,
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy
Lunch 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 9 a m - [Interfaith Jeckyl & 9
D ae n
mn-y [Iglesia
's de
Scouts] Coalition Staff Hyde's Dios]
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowshi 6
M:t3g0]p m - [ I g l e s i a
p time Apostolica]
6 p m - [Iglesia
Apostolica]
22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Pastors away
Montana Spiritual Retreat
1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 1:30pm - [Communit 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's
Time Scouts] y to Dios] Brkfst,
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 9 a m - [Interfaith 5
Cpommm - Checking
unit in 9
D ae n
mn-y [Iglesia
's de
Coalition Staff G ou
y rm t gp], Dios]
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowshi 6
M:t3g0]p m - [ I g l e s i a location TBD
p time Apostolica]
12:30pm - Out-to-
Lunch
6 p m - [Iglesia
Bunch
Apostolica]
7 p m - Book Group

29 30 31 1 2 3 4

Pastors away 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 7pm - [4H] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's
Scouts] Dios] Brkfst,
1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 9 a m - [Interfaith 9
D ae n
mn-y [Iglesia
's de
Time Coalition Staff Dios]
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship 6
M:t3g0]p m - [ I g l e s i a
Apostolica]
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowshi
p time
6 p m - [Iglesia

July 2018
Apostolica]