he

The
Vol. 69,Christian
No. 7
T
Courier
CourierBellingham
The Christian Courier
First Christian The Christian Courier
Church July 2019

Sunday, July 14 Is a Big Day!

Reaching Out in Love
If many hands make light work, we’re going to need all
hands on deck, as we reach out to our community with
God’s love.
How can you help?
Our Social Justice Task Force invites you to help co-
host our table at the Bellingham Pride Festival, 12 - 4p,
Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. Please talk to
Tamalyn if you are able to take a 1 hour shift (or longer).
Our Community Meal Task Force invites you to help with the community meal. Food preparations
and set up in the fellowship hall begin immediately after worship. Please talk to Brenda if you are
able to help with set up, food prep, serving, and/or clean up. This is a big job, but our guests feel
your hospitality most keenly.

July 20 - 24, 2019

Des Moines, Iowa
Featuring:
• Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and
President
• Rev. Nancy Gowler, First Christian Church,
Puyallup, WA
• Rev. Ruben del Pilar, Community Worship
Center, Gardena, CA
• Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale and Rev. Mark Briley
• Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

For more info regarding registration for the assembly or online opportunities during the assembly, please
visit https://ga.disciples.org.
 Shoe’s News
First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)

“Revisioning”
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226 People need a sense of where the future is taking them.
360.734.6820
Churches are no different. As we look around us, we see other
office@bellinghamdisciples.org
www.bellinghamdisciples.org Disciples churches struggling and sometimes folding. We see
Find us on Facebook other mainline churches going through the same challenges.
Follow us on Twitter Here at church, we’re also wrestling with how to maintain our
ministry and outreach work (read that: walking the way of Jesus)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in this place. We do a lot of good in our community, and we’d
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all
like to continue doing that good for many years to come.
to the Lord’s Table as God welcomed us.
The churches that are thriving seem to have a very different
All of Us
Ministers
theology and worship style from ours. They tend to be much
more conservative in theology and much more lively in their
Rev. Gary Shoemaker, Pastor
gary@bellinghamdisciples.org worship. We talked about this in our last Visioning Task Force
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman, Associate Pastor
meeting.
- Ed. & Community Outreach -
Courier Editor That leaves us with an important question, what are we going to
tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org do?
Amelia Nye, Accompanist
I believe that there’s an important place for our church in today’s
TBD, Childcare Provider
world. We’re good at putting the principles of the gospel into
Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister action. We’re good at welcoming folks who are not always
Rev. Terri Horde Owens welcome elsewhere (also a Jesus thing). We’re willing to
General Minister and President address the climate crisis from a scientific as well as a faith
Sunday Schedule perspective. We’re willing to allow our property to be used by
Sunday School on summer hiatus outside groups that stand in solidarity with migrant workers and
10:20a Gathering Time their children. We encourage people to explore faith issues and
10:30a Worship challenge their faith perspectives. We’re a loving, kind, warm,
11:45a Fellowship Time Christ-centered, open and affirming, progressive, nurturing
12:30p Out-to-Lunch Bunch
community.
(4th Sunday)
2p Someone Cares! Community Meal
(2nd Sunday) So, what’s the future of such a wonderful church? Dick Talley
has been working with the Visioning Task Force to help us see
Office Hours
Tuesday - Friday
the present and future of our church more clearly. I’m very
9 a.m. - noon appreciative of his kind efforts.
Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the
week. Please feel free to stop by during their office But the future starts now. Whenever you have the chance, tell
hours or make an appointment that fits your others about our church. Tell them that we’re not like the
schedule.
churches most folks hear about. Tell them all the good things
Officers about our faith community, and invite them to church.
Gregg Heyne, Moderator
Leslie Pinkston, Vice-Moderator
Betty Schmidling, Secretary
There’s a lot we’ll be doing to steer the church into new
Cheryl Perry, Treasurer possibilities, but perhaps the most effective thing is simply
getting the word out. There are a lot of people who would love to
Important Links:
be a part of such a church as ours. Let them know.
Regional Website (including monthly
newsletter): disciplesnw.org
General Church Website: disciples.org Pastor Gary

2 July 2019
Who’s on First? Birthdays & Anniversaries Outreach & Spirituality

Debbie O'Neal 15
Tamalyn Kralman 16
Angel Herrera 22
Marlin Erickson 25
Happy Birthday
Preston Pinkston 27
Don Hoffman 1
Debbie Ruther 28
Melody Hoffman 2
Karen Gilda 31
Sunday, July 7 Bekki Weston 7
Happy Anniversary
Elder: Brenda Riseland Chuck Page 13
Chuck & Darleen Page 1
Elder of the Month: Steve Hutchens Linda Heyne 15
Deacons: James Becker, Bentley Becker
Reader: Megan Shoemaker
Children's Moment: Megan Shoemaker Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)
Children’s Church: Linda Heyne • Annual Bazaar • Community Meal
Flowers: The Page Family • Alternative Christmas • Family Promise Hosts
Fellowship Time: Brenda Riseland, Faire • Family Promise Day
honoring July birthdays • Blessing Bags Center (Disciples House)
Sunday, July 14 • CAST • Food Bank collections
• Clean Water Projects • Joseph’s Closet
Elder: Jane Kletka
• Comfort Quilt Ministry • Justice Sunday
Deacons: Renee Hoemann, Zoe Ila Becker
• Community Gardens • Socks on the Street
Reader: Gregg Heyne
Children's Moment: Tamalyn Kralman For more info on how to assist in any of these projects,
Children’s Church: Linda Botts please contact us at office@bellinghamdisciples.org.
Flowers: Connie Page
Fellowship Time:TBD
Be a Part of A Small Group (nurture your soul)
Sunday, July 21
• Women's Spiritual Growth Groups - Please contact the
Elder: Bob Fisher
church office if you would like to be a part of a group.
Deacons: Kris Ann Lewis, Celia Obrecht
Reader: Fran Frazee • Sunday School, 9:15a (fall - spring) - exploring the
Children's Moment: Linda Heyne scriptures & theology, this group works at expanding minds
Children’s Church: TBD and hearts. Come ready to learn, laugh, & grow.
Flowers: TBD • Out-to-Lunch Bunch, 1p, 4th Sundays - An informal
Fellowship Time: Book Group gathering that visits locally owned restaurants.
• Book Group, 7p, 4th Sundays - This group explores books
Sunday, July 28 to expand their minds and hearts.
Elder: Leslie Pinkston
• Esther Group, 11:30a, 3rd Mondays - A women's group that
Deacons: Linda Botts, Melissa Henderson
meets for lunch in local restaurants. (No host. On summer hiatus)
Reader: James Becker
• Bible Study, 11a, Tuesdays - Meeting in the church library, this
Children's Moment: Megan Shoemaker
group explores the lectionary scriptures. (On summer hiatus)
Children’s Church: TBD
Flowers & Fellowship Time: Esther Group • Bell Choir, 6p, Wednesdays (fall - spring) - Beginners to
well-experienced, music readers or not, all have fun and make
Sign up in the fellowship hall to help in these beautiful music to enhance our worship
important ministries. • Chancel Choir, 7p, Wednesdays (fall - spring) - Opera
• Bring flowers for Sunday worship ready or no experience whatsoever, all are welcome. Come
ready to sing for God. And for worship!
• Provide goodies for fellowship time
• Pub Theology, 6p, 3rd Thursdays - Beer, conversation, and
following Sunday worship
God! (Or any beverage of your choice.) Jeckyl & Hyde Deli &
Please contact the office for more info. Ale House 709 Orchard Pl #1. (On hiatus July & August)
• Checking in Group, 5p, 4th Thursdays (fall - spring) - A
“The most wasted of all days is one supportive group of people who share life's journey together.
without laughter.”  • Men's Breakfast, 7:30a, Saturdays at Denny's - 

― Nicolas Chamfort All men are invited to join this weekly breakfast group for fun
(1741-1794, French Writer) and fellowship. (No host.)


3 July 2019
Financial Report - Joys & Concerns - General Assembly

Darleen and Chuck Celebrate 60th Wedding

Anniversary!
July 7th from 1:00 to 4:00, with music from Fiddlers at 3:00 or
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Fridayto Saturday
thereabouts. Lunch will be provided, so RSVP
360.734.3309 by July 1st.
Here’s the plan: 1:00 Gathering: a brief ceremony and
introductions. Very casual luncheon, picnic-style, in the
Fellowship Hall. As the conversations slow, WOTFA will “jam”
till about 4:00.
*Please, no gifts, unless you choose to bring a donation for
the Food Bank.

Finance Committee Update

The Finance Committee of our church recently met with the
outside bookkeeper to go over all procedures, reports,
designated funds and financial accounts. The committee will
be working with the bookkeeper so that all accounts are up to
date with correct balances. Because of several factors, like a
computer crash and using multiple financial programs,
balances are not all correct. We are working to have this
rectified by the 1st of September.
We are also going to begin working on the 2020 Stewardship
Emphasis and putting together the 2020 Budget. As for a
financial report, all bills are paid and income continues to look
good for 2019. If you have any questions please contact Cheryl
Perry or Dick Talley.

Joys and Concerns

Please submit written requests to update this list.

Medical concerns: Beyond Our Walls:

• Bea Gilfilen’s sister, Dory • For the healing of our nation
• Chloe Gibson • Refugees worldwide
• Darleen Page & Family • Iglesia de Dios, as together we share God’s love
• Diana Findlay’s son, Gary Schwebel • Community to Community families in their gardening
• Ellen Fisher, Bob’s sister-in-law program in our field
• Jimmie Talley’s mom • Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana
• Kevin Clark • Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister and
• Kris Ann Lewis’s family, including stepdad-in-law, Pat President
Spiller, & mother-in law, Vivian Lewis • Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and
• Maureen Thompson, Melissa Henderson’s mom/Leslie President
Pinkston’s sister • Our General Church ministries
Life’s challenges: • Yakama Christian Mission
• Ardythe Hannah & granddaughter Stephanie • Victims of hatred, injustice, violence, poverty,
• Jimmie & Dick Talley disease, and disaster worldwide
• Bob Fisher’s daughter Katie • All troops involved in world conflict
• Kris Ann Lewis’s family: brother Phil, sister-in-law • Peacemakers worldwide
Cary, nephew Matt niece Hannah, Brenchly family

4 July 2019
Gifts to Global Ministries

Working to Provide Fresh Water

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Digging a well is hard work. It requires knowledge, planning,

determination, time, and a whole lot of muscle and energy. It is not work Your Employer May Match Your
for the faint of heart. Of course, having good equipment helps. But, in Gift to Global Ministries!
too many parts of the world, water is scarce and good equipment is as If your employer has a matching gift
good as nonexistent. program, you may be able to double your
That’s where you come in. gift. While many employers will not
match gifts to houses of worship, they will
The monies you donated in your coin jars, which were collected on
match gifts to organizations
Sunday, May 26, totaled $232 and will be donated to Global Ministries.
like Global Ministries because it offers
For more info about the work of Global Ministries to provide clean water
services on a nondiscriminatory basis. For
to communities without, please visit https://www.globalministries.org/
more info, contact the Global Ministries
water.
Resource Development office at
Coin jars are now available for our 2020 World Water Day donations. 317-713-2562 or gifts@dom.disciples.org.

Rumor Has It…

Rumor has it that people these days frequently ask,
“What can one person do in the face of all these
problems?” Rumor has it that people have long asked
this question, such as, when Mount Vesuvius
destroyed the entire city of Pompeii and when the
Mayan civilization collapsed.

Kral’s Scrawls What can one person do when Mother Nature is

wreaking havoc with our way of life and our neighbors
are threatening all the good that remains?
As you know, the people of First Christian Church of Bellingham don’t seem to have a big problem with the “what can
one person do” question. Instead, folks here have refused to sit back and let nature and grumpy people (we’ll not say
“evil people,” even though we sometimes might think it!) have their way with things. Each person here has a history of
reaching into their reserves for bits of energy and cash (it always takes both, doesn’t it?), massive amounts of resolve,
and stepping out to help God’s people both near and far.
We have developed a passion for sheltering people, feeding them, clothing them, providing them space for gardens and
meetings and rehearsals, and doing the many things we do to reach out with God’s love. And, we are making a
difference. We are changing hearts. We are changing minds. We are changing lives. One person at a time.
But…
Rumor has it that people these days are frequently burned out. While “doing for the least of these” may just be the end
all, be all, grand inspiration for some folks, for others it is draining. We’ve heard that many of our folks go home and
“just collapse” after a day of feeding people at the Community Meal. While it is a well deserved “collapse,” it is also a
reminder that God requires us to seek respite, Sabbath, restoration for our souls.
Therefore, with these things in mind, I would encourage us all to find that fine balance. It will be different for each of us.
My happy place will not necessarily be yours. (Mine’s often in a semi-vegetative state with a blanket and a book.) But find
that place that soothes the troubled beast within and leads that beast to the green pastures of God’s goodness.
Praying for your graciousness of heart and your inner peace,
Pastor Tam

5 July 2019
6
First Christian Church, Bellingham, WA, Christian Holidays
July 2019 Jul 2019 (Pacific Time - Los Angeles)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
30 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering Time
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowship Time
6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] Bulletin deadline 6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Anonymous] Denny's
1 1 a m - Meditation Class 7pm - [4H] 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
Sunday

2 p m - Marian Crim's
service

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering Time Pastor G's Sabbatical, pt 1

1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] Bulletin deadline 1 : 3 0 p m - [Community to 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Community mtg] Denny's
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowship Time 9 a m - [Interfaith Coalition 6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
Monday

Staff Mtg] Anonymous]

1 p m - Pages' Anniversary 1 1 a m - Meditation Class
celebration

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Pastor G's Sabbatical, pt 1

Pastor T preach Courier deadline 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] Bulletin deadline 6 p m - Pub Theology, Jeckyl 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Tuesday

& Hyde's @ Jeckyl & Denny's

1 0 a m - Bellingham Pride 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Esther Grp 1 1 a m - Meditation Class 6
Hyde m - [C
: 3 0 pDeli and ependents
o - DAle 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
Lunch A
House,
n o n y m709 ]
o u s Orchard
1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering Time 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] Pl # 1, Bellingham,
WA 98225, USA
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship

1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowship Time

2 p m - Community Meal

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Pastor G's Sabbatical, pt 1 Pastor G's Study Leave

Pastor T preach
1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering Time
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship
6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts]
6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers]
Bulletin deadline
9 a m - [Interfaith Coalition
staff mtg]
1 1 a m - Meditation Class
1 : 3 0 p m - [Community to
Community mtg]
5 p m - Checking in Group,
location TBD
6 p m - [Family Promise
6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Denny's
9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
Wednesday Thursday

Coordinators' Mtg]
1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowship Time 6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents
Anonymous]
5 p m - Board Meeting

28 29 30 31 1 2 3
Friday

Pastor G's Study Leave Pastor G's Vacation, pt 1

Pastor T preach 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] Bulletin deadline 6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Anonymous] Denny's
1 0 : 2 0 a m - Gathering Time 1 1 a m - Meditation Class 7pm - [4H] 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]

1 0 : 3 0 a m - Worship

1 1 : 4 5 a m - Fellowship Time

7 p m - Book Group

July 2019
Saturday
July Calendar