The Vol. 70,Christian No. 2 T Courier Courier Bellingham The Christian Courier First Christian The ChristianFebruary Church Courier2020
Journeying Through Lent 2020 Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 26, a day of repentance and reflection. Interfaith Coalition Music This year, we are pleased to offer you two options for Festival your personal Lenten journey. The first is a devotional Sunday, Feb. 23 booklet, “Practicing Lent,” This modern and inspiring 3pm. Lenten booklet will be the perfect companion to your First Congregational Church Lenten journey, with weekly practices and reflections. 2401 Cornwall Ave. Thoughtful, tenderly written, and provocative, the Join us for an uplifting program of booklet will challenge you to see the hope and light all spiritual music from our diverse around, even as you stay present and awake to the congregations, showcasing solo, choral, injustices of the world. and instrumental music. It ends with an The second option is a Lenten calendar, for families exuberant grand finale involving the with children, offering daily ideas for walking a audience and all the performers. There thoughtful journey through the 40 days of Lent. will be a freewill offering to support You will find these resources available in the Interfaith Coalition programs. We hope narthex beginning Sunday, February 23. to see you there!
Palms Up Save the Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020 6 - 8 p.m. The Bellingham Visioning Task Force ‘ invites you to an evening of conversation with the Rev. Jennifer Smith of Marysville United Methodist Church, as we explore the “Palms Up” rhythm and movement way of being
Palms Up and doing church. Show up. Pay
attention. Cooperate with God. Release the outcome. Shoe’s News
First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) Shoe’s News “There’s room for many a more!”
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226 The old spiritual, “Get On Board Little Children” has that line, 360.734.6820 which is written above. “There’s room for many a more.” It was office@bellinghamdisciples.org true for that heaven bound train and it’s true for our church. www.bellinghamdisciples.org Find us on Facebook When we talk about our church, I don’t know how many times Follow us on Twitter I’ve heard someone say, “We have so much to offer! We just need more people.” And it’s true. But it can’t stop there. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) During my call to communion last Sunday, I asked you to A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all imagine the people who might become a part of our church. I to the Lord’s Table as God welcomed us. asked you to imagine their faces. And then I asked you to be All of Us looking for those faces when you’re out and about. Ministers I’m like you, I don’t find it easy to invite people to church. And Rev. Gary Shoemaker, Pastor I’m not asking you to just go out and knock on doors or accost gary@bellinghamdisciples.org folks in the line at the grocery store. Instead, just be aware of Rev. Tamalyn Kralman, Associate Pastor - Ed. & Community Outreach - people who might be looking for what we have at our church. Courier Editor tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org We are a progressive Christian community that takes seriously our call to follow Jesus. Amelia Nye, Accompanist Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister That’s why we grapple with issues of hunger and homelessness. That’s why we struggle to create a more just Rev. Terri Horde Owens General Minister and President and equitable society and world. That’s why we work for peace. That’s why we serve our guests at the community meal Sunday Schedule rather than have them line up at a ’soup line’. That’s why we 9:15a Older Youth-Adult Sunday School 10:50a Gathering Time study what it means to be a progressive Christian. We ask the 11a Worship hard questions. 12:15 Fellowship Time 1p Out-to-Lunch Bunch Someone who attended our worship recently said, “People (4th Sunday) don’t want to be challenged in church. You challenge people 2p Someone Cares! Community Meal here.” And she meant that in a positive way. Most churches try (2nd Sunday) to make everyone feel comfortable, both in worship and in Office Hours their faith. But that’s not what Jesus was about. He sort of Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - noon kicked the hornet’s nest by challenging people to love beyond Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the their comfort zones, to reach beyond their safe boundaries. If week. Please feel free to stop by during their office we are to follow Jesus, we need to respect his teaching hours or make an appointment that fits your enough to at least try to follow his Way. schedule. Officers I know that there are people who want that sort of Christianity. Leslie Pinkston, Moderator Look for those people, listen for those people. And when you TBD, Vice-Moderator find them, let them know about the ministry of our church. Betty Schmidling, Secretary Cheryl Perry, Treasurer Because, well, there’s room for many a more!
Important Links: Pastor Gary
Regional Website (including monthly newsletter): disciplesnw.org General Church Website: disciples.org
2 February 2020 Nurse’s Notes
Suicide: A Mounting Health Concern (Part Four)
Nurse’s Notes from Your Faith Following is more information regarding the ever growing Community mental health and sociological problem of suicide. This is not a Nurse Tuesday Wednesday comfortable Thursdaybecause subject but necessary, Friday Saturday perhaps the time may come when this information may save someone’s life. The holidays are now past and we move on into another year. The holidays are meant to be happy, a time when friends and families gather, a time of lights and glitter, a time of remembering the principles we believe Jesus taught, a time of reflection, a time of inner growth, a time of remembering others less fortunate than ourselves. Many may be joyful during this time, but many more may not feel particularly joyful. For a variety of reasons many feel very depressed during the holidays. What may be tolerable during the year may worsen when the sense of being alone, poor, suffering many injustices intensifies. The probability of suicide can become a reality with those who may be vulnerable. Those around these people need to be observant of mood, behavior, especially if the wish to die is verbalized. If suicide seems possible call 911 or the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Assessment of Lethality Lethality refers to the method of suicide used, the circumstances surrounding the attempt, and the chance of rescue. Lethality is related to the severity of physical consequences as well as the amount of medical intervention needed following an attempt. Assessing lethality includes how well thought out the plan is and whether the person has access to the means to complete the plan. Notice if the person is at a “tipping point” : showing or verbalizing distress, showing marked behavior changes (unusually withdrawn or showing anger), verbalizing a desire to die, or actual witnessed attempt. This is an emergency. Call 911. It needs to be remembered that a prior suicide attempt is a highly potent risk factor for eventually dying by suicide. Any suicide attempts or thoughts must be taken seriously, including those that involve little risk of death. Warning Signs Warning signs are indications of suicidal ideation and behavior that are observed by or reported to another, and indicate risk for suicide within minutes, hours, or days. About 80% of people who attempt suicide show some sort of warning sign. Knowing and recognizing these signs can help family and friends take action before suicidal thinking turns into action. Warning signs can be acute and urgent or simply red flags for concern. Widely accepted general suicide signs include: anxiety, agitation, sleepless, or mood swings; feeling that there is no reason to live (purposelessness); rage, anger, or aggression; recklessness, engaging in risky behavior without thinking; increased alcohol or drug abuse; withdrawing from family and friends; hopelessness; feeling trapped. Recognizing warning signs, knowing how and where to get help can save a life. Resource: WSDOH; USDVA Meditation: May those troubled and hurting be surrounded by loving family and friends, receive the best in medical and psychiatric care, and come to know that we all are vulnerable to the vicissitudes of life and need a steadying hand and an open heart. May we be comforted by the ever present compassion and love of God. Jane E. Kletka, RN,FCN
3 February 2020 Get Involved, Pray for, & Celebrate Our Church!
Children’s Church: Linda Heyne
Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD Sunday, February 16 Elder: Linda Heyne Deacons: TBD Sunday, February 2 Reader: James Becker Elder: Jane Kletka Children's Moment: Linda Heyne Elder of the Month: Bob Fisher Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman Deacons: TBD Flowers: TBD Reader: Nancy Langford Fellowship Time: TBD Children's Moment: Megan Shoemaker Sunday, February 23 Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman Elder: Brenda Riseland Flowers: TBD Deacons: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD, honoring February birthdays Reader: Gregg Heyne Sunday, February 9 Children's Moment: Megan Shoemaker Elder: Renee Hoemann Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman (Messy Deacons: TBD Church!) Reader: Melissa Henderson Flowers: Esther Group Children's Moment: Tamalyn Kralman Fellowship Time: Esther Group
Beyond Our Walls
Joys and Concerns • Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister and Please submit written requests to update President Sign•up in the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President Medical concerns • Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana • Chloe Gibson • Yakama Christian Mission • Diana Findlay’s son, Gary Schwebel • Our General Church ministries • Bob Fisher’s brother Allen Fisher; sister-in-law, • Iglesia de Dios, as together we share God’s love Ellen Fisher • Community to Community families in their • Maureen Thompson, Melissa Henderson’s gardening program in our field mom/Leslie Pinkston’s sister • For the healing of our nation • Megan Shoemaker’s dad, Kyle Davis • Refugees worldwide • Sandy Grant’s friend, Bruce • Victims of hatred, injustice, violence, poverty, disease, and disaster Life’s challenges • All troops involved in world conflict • Ardythe Hannah & granddaughter Stephanie • Peacemakers worldwide • Jimmie & Dick Talley
Happy Birthday: Cris Botts 4 Lynn Plancich 16 Velma McDonald 7 Margaret Brown 17 Tristin Stanbro 7 Mason Stanbro 18 Brenda Riseland 10 Gaylen Udo 22 Click here to learn more about the Phyllis McKinnon 11 Leslie Pinkston 25 activities & ministries of this congregation Gray King 13 Megan Shoemaker 26 and how you can get involved.
4 February 2020 Community Meal Task Force Report
A Report to the Congregation from the Someone Cares Community Meal
Task Force As members of the Someone Cares Community Meal Task Force we would like to take this opportunity to give an update on how this Mission/Outreach program is going. You may remember that this program was started after input from the congregation and much research on the Task Force’s part. We served the First Someone Cares Meal in August, 2014. Since that time a meal has been served the second Sunday of each month from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. The meal attracts mostly marginalized and homeless folks from the community and our neighbors around the church area. Joseph’s Closet, a used clothing bank, is also available during the afternoon and guests are encouraged to take any clothing they need. There are also care packages of small toiletries and other items often available for the taking. Someone Cares relies on monetary and food donations from the congregation as well as the time and efforts of those willing to set up, prepare, cook, serve, and clean up on meal day. During the Year 2019: Someone Cares attendance averaged just slightly under 50 people per meal. The crew of our folks helping with the meal averaged 12-15 people per meal. About 1/3 to 1/2 of the food items needed for each meal was donated in-kind by congregation members. Many of you continued to donate to the Someone Cares Meal Fund that is used for the shopping for grocery items needed for the meal each month. Many of you handed to Brenda cash that is used to purchase last minute items for meals. $240 was taken from the Someone Cares Meal fund and put into the Church Budget to pay for the coffee used for each meal. The Someone Cares Program would not be in existence without so many members of the congregation helping out in so many ways! Your help is the blessing that makes this program go! We hope that you will continue to support the Someone Cares Meal Program in the ways that you have to this point. Money to purchase food, food donations, and just some plain people help is needed each and every month. Thanks for all you do! Someone Cares Task Force Ann Hall Megan Shoemaker Tamalyn Kralman Brenda Riseland Interfaith Coalition Bruce Radtke Annual Hope Auction Saturday, March 28 5:30pm Four Points by Sheraton For over 25 years, Interfaith’s Hope Auction has brought fellowship, inspiration, and hope to our community while raising awareness and support for our neighbors in need. Please join us for an evening that pulls together heart and effort in eliminating family homelessness and poverty. There are many ways to participate: donate an auction item, purchase tickets, or consider sponsorship of the event. Call or go to our website for more info or to purchase tickets: 360-734-3983, Save the date and visit northernlightsdisciples.org for more info. www.interfaith-coalition.org.
5 February 2020 6 Table 1 February 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
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7:30a Men’s Break-
fast, Denny’s
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9:15a Sun. School 11a Bible Study Bulletin deadline
