he

Vol. 69, No. 4

T
Courier
Bellingham First Christian Church
An Open and Affirming Congregation April 2019

Come Celebrate Easter!

Holy Week 2019
Palm Sunday, April 14
10:50 a.m. Gathering Time (singing & announcements)
11 a.m. Worship with the Procession of the Palms

Maundy Thursday, April 18

5:30 p.m. Soup Supper & Worship
6:30 p.m. The Night Watches begins

Good Friday, April 19

6 p.m. The Night Watches ends
6:30 p.m. Good Friday Worship

Easter Sunday, April 21

8:30 a.m. Early Service (Zuanich Park)
9:30 a.m. Breakfast (Church)
10:15 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt
10:50 a.m. Gathering Time (singing & announcements)
11 a.m. Worship
Shoe’s News

First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) Shoe’s News
“Another Tragedy”
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226 It seems like the tragic shootings are coming more and more
360.734.6820 frequently. Some are random and some target specific
office@bellinghamdisciples.org
www.bellinghamdisciples.org
communities. While we’d rather not think about painful events,
Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter it’s important for us to realize just how much darkness is being
spread across the world.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented And then we need to act.
world. As part of the one body of Christ, we
welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God We need to change our laws just as quickly as the Prime
welcomed us. Minister of New Zealand is acting. We need to keep weapons of
All of Us mass destruction off the market. There is simply no reason for
Ministers anyone to own a military grade weapon besides the military.
Rev. Gary Shoemaker
Pastor But, since you’ve heard that song and dance from me on many
gary@bellinghamdisciples.org occasions, and it’s not likely that any sort of legislation on gun
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman control would get past the Senate or the President’s desk, we
Associate Pastor need to think about other positive steps we might take in the
-Education & Community Outreach- meantime.
Courier Editor
tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org One thing that each of us can do is change the message that
Amelia Nye we’re sending out to the world. Every day we need to spread a
Accompanist little hope and love. We need to encourage family and friends to
Aneesa Ahad open their hearts to people and religions that are different from
Childcare Provider us. We need to spread seeds of compassion and understanding
Rev. Sandy Messick every chance we get. In our conversations, on the internet, on
Regional Minister the bus, in the break room, around the table.
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens
General Minister and President
People will hear you and they will feel encouraged to do the
same. We need to realize that each of us can impact the public
Sunday Schedule (Labor Day - Memorial Day)
9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School
atmosphere for good. We need to make as big an impact as
10:50 a.m. Gathering Time possible in every way imaginable.
11 a.m. Worship
Spread the love, spread the hope, spread the understanding
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Time
1 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday) and spread them wide!
2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal Pastor Gary
(2nd Sunday)
Office Hours
Tuesday - Friday
9 a.m. - noon
Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the If we ourselves remain angry and then
week. Please feel free to stop by during their office
hours or make an appointment that fits your schedule. sing world peace, it has little meaning.
Officers
Gregg Heyne, Moderator First, our individual self must learn
Leslie Pinkston, Vice Moderator
Cheryl Perry, Treasurer peace. This we can practice. Then we
Betty Schmidling, Secretary
Important Links: can teach the rest of the world.
Regional Website (including monthly
newsletter): disciplesnw.org ~ Dalai Lama
General Church Website: disciples.org

2 April 2018
Who’s on First?! Birthdays & Anniversaries
Sunday, April 7
Elder: Jane Kletka
Elder of the Month: Linda Heyne
Deacons: James Becker, Bentley Becker
Reader: Megan Shoemaker
Children’s Moment: Linda Heyne
Children’s Church: Linda Heyne
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD, w/ b-day cake
honoring April birthdays
Sunday, April 14
Elder: Steve Hutchens
Deacons: Renee Hoemann, Zoe Ila Becker
Reader: Darleen Page
Children’s Moment: Megan Shoemaker
Children’s Church: Linda Botts
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, April 21
Elder: Kathy Wheeler
Deacons: Kris Ann Lewis, Celia Obrecht
Reader: Melissa Henderson
Children’s Moment: Tamalyn Kralman
Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman
Flowers: Easter Flowers
Fellowship Time:
Sunday, April 28
Elder: Leslie Pinkston
Deacons: Linda Botts, Melissa Henderson
Reader: James Becker
Children’s Moment: Linda Heyne
Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman
Flowers & Fellowship Time: Esther Group
Sign up in the fellowship hall to help in these
important ministries:
• Read scripture during Sunday morning worship
• Bring flowers for Sunday worship
• Provide goodies for fellowship time following
Sunday worship
Please contact the office for more info.
April 2018
Joys and Concerns
Happy Birthday
Pat Whitney 1 Abigail Hulbert 14
Sarah Wheeler 2 Allison Ronney 17
Mary Ann Teeters 2 Jordan Smith 23
Connor Hoemann 4 Maija Haggith 25
Frances VanDyke 9 Elise King 28
Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)
• Annual Bazaar • Family Promise Hosts
• Alternative Christmas • Family Promise Day
Faire Center (Disciples House)
• Blessing Bags • Food Bank collections
• CAST • Joseph’s Closet
• Clean Water Projects • Justice Sunday
• Comfort Quilt Ministry • Socks on the Street
• Community Gardens
• Community Meal
For more info on how to assist in any of these projects,
please contact us at office@bellinghamdisciples.org.
Be a Part of A Small Group (nurture your soul)
• Women's Spiritual Growth Groups - Please contact the
church office if you would like to be a part of a group.
• Out-to-Lunch Bunch, 1p, 4th Sundays - An informal
gathering that visits locally owned restaurants.
• Book Group, 7p, 4th Sundays - This group explores
books to expand their minds and hearts.
• Esther Group, 11:30a, 3rd Mondays - A women's group that
meets for lunch in local restaurants. (No host.)
• Bible Study, 11a, Tuesdays - Meeting in the church
library, this group explores the lectionary scriptures.
• Pub Theology, 6:30p, 3rd Thursdays - Beer,
conversation, and God! (Or any beverage of your choice.)
Jeckyl & Hyde Deli & Ale House 709 Orchard Pl #1.
• Checking in Group, 5p, 4th Thursdays - supportive
group of people who share life's journey together.
• Men's Breakfast, 7:30a, Saturdays at Denny's - 

All men are invited to join this weekly breakfast group for
fun and fellowship. (No host.)

3
Thank You Letters Received
Dear First Christian Church,
Thank you for allowing 4-H once aga
in to use your
building for our Public Presentation con
test. With
Dear Friends: your help we are able to give our 4-H
to Global Ministries of youth an
Thank you for your receipt gift opportunity to gain experience and skil
ls in public
t the vital work of
$639.60. Gifts like yours suppor speaking and to grow in confidence.
It will benefit
t with individuals,
global partners who are presen through their life.
the world.
famlies, and communities around Sincerely Brenda Durford
in our world today.
Immigration is a critical issue and all of Whatcom County 4-H
ministry of Presence
Global Ministries carries out a Shannan Thomas
affected by
and support with those who are Amanda The Gadmans
tners such as
immigration through global par Peyton Jack
l Church of
Perichoresis, of the Evangelica Grady Renae
tari an assistance to
Greece,which offers humani Max Darren
ox Initiative which
refugees in Greece; the Orthod Denise Duncan
Center Romero
serves refugees in Jordan; and The Wiersmas
border of the United
which serves migrants on the
ny others. Kearstin
States and Mexico, among ma
o recently returned
Bailey, a Mixxion Co-worker wh
sis helps refugees to
from Greece wrote, Perichore
h by working with
find their own purpose and pat
el to assess their
families on an an individual lev
kes a plan to help
needs and goals, and then ma
families attain them. our Friends at First
h your support, you Dear Pastor Gary and
Thank you for your gifts. Throug Christian Church:
ring with global your generous gift of
join Global Ministries in partne Thank you so much for
all over the world. tion in support of this
partner ministries of Presence $500 to Interfaith Coali
help our neighbors. We
Sincerely, partnership we share to
generosity to us with
Rev. Jane Sullevan-Davis, CF
RE are so grateful for your
s, especially as we know
Executive for Resource De vel opm ent your financial resource e
eds that you support. W
that there are many ne
the amazing
are equally grateful for o
from First Christian wh
congregation members re for
Dear First Christian Church: their time to help ca
devote many hours of y
Thank you for your generous gifts to host and support Faml
Global Ministries the families when you r, fee d the
in year 2018. As one of Global Ministri day cente
es Top Donors, Promise, volunteer at the
we are certain your support is making e wa rm coats to the
long-lasting hungry at CAST, provid
differences for individuals, families, chu through the coat drive,
rches, and thousands of neighbors
grassroots communities around the ys.
world. Gifts such and in so many other wa
as yours are supporting the life-saving a light in the darkness,
work of Please know that you are
hospitals and clinics, building peace need of an example or
with justice, the and a spark for those in
training of pastors, and creating mor
e access to richly blessed for your
inspiration. May you be
nutritious foods. There is much to cele ur doors to the poor, the
brate today in generosity in opening yo t
God’s global mission! and those who have los
hungry, the homeless,
Thank you once again for your special
gifts to Global hope.
Ministries. We are grateful for your pre
the world, together with Global Ministri
sence of love in With much gratitude,
es!
Rev. Julia Brown Karimu, Co-Executi Laura Harker
ve CC(DOC) Executive Director
Rev. Dr. James A Moos, Co-Executive
UCC

4 April 2018
Family Promise, One Year Later
We have now been a part of the Family Promise
Program for a year. We are extremely thankful to
the many people who have opened their hearts
and their calendars to the families of Family
Promise.
As of February 2, 2019, Whatcom County Family
Promise had served a total of:
• 15 families
• 56 individuals
• 36 children
• 20 adults
And the benefits to these families is extensive.
• 3 families were graduated from the program
with continued care from Family Promise/
Interfaith Coalition
• 5 families received permanent housing at exit
• 6 families received transitional housing at exit
• 13 individuals connected with job training
during stay
• 10 individuals secured new/better employment
during stay
• 10 families secured health and dental care
during stay
• 15 families received financial literacy
counseling during stay
When our congregation embarked on this
adventure, it was with the understanding that we
would evaluate our participation after one year.
As promised, Pastor Gary, Pastor Tamalyn,
Program Coordinator Megan Shoemaker, and
the church board have looked at our sign-up
sheets and the future weeks for which we are
scheduled to host Family Promise in 2019.
It is our recommendation that we continue to
offer our building to Whatcom County Family
Promise as a host building, but we will be
requesting one or two more support
congregations to take over the actual hosting
responsibilities. Our church members will still be
able to volunteer, but will not have the primary
responsibility of filling the schedule.
Please contact the office for more information or
to volunteer for Family Promise in any capacity.
And, remember, we are scheduled to host
families the weeks of May 26, September 15,
and December 8.
April 2018
General Assembly,
July 20-24, 2019,
Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, IA. Featuring our
own Rev. Dr. Nancy Gowler, pastor of First Christian
Church, Puyallup as the Sunday night speaker, as well
as Rev. Terri Horde Owens, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber,
II, and other renowned speakers throughout the week,
this is an event to remember.
For more info, please visit https://ga.disciples.org/
Joys and Concerns
Please submit written requests to update list.
Medical concerns:
• Jimmie Talley’s mom
• Maureen Thompson, Melissa Henderson’s mom/Leslie
Pinkston’s sister
• Virginia Bock, Pastor Tamalyn’s mom
• Darleen Page & Family
• Ellen Fisher, Bob’s sister-in-law
• Marian Crim
• Chloe Gibson
• Gary Schwebel, Diana Findlay’s son
• Pat Spiller, Kris Ann’s stepdad-in-law & Vivian Lewis,
Kris Ann’s mother-in law & entire Lewis/Spiller family
Life’s challenges:
• Ardythe Hannah & granddaughter Stephanie
• Katie, Bob Fisher’s daughter
• Kris Ann Lewis’s family: brother Phil, sister-in-law Cary,
nephew Matt niece Hannah, Brenchly family
Beyond Our Walls:
• For the healing of our nation
• Refugees worldwide
• Iglesia de Dios, as together we share God’s love
• Raices Culturales/Community to Community
families in their gardening program in our field
• Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana
• Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister and
President
• Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and
President
• Our General Church ministries
• Yakama Christian Mission
• Victims of hatred, injustice, violence, poverty, disease,
and disaster worldwide
• All troops involved in world conflict
• Peacemakers worldwide
5
6
First Christian Church, Bellingham, WA, Christian Holidays
April 2019
Sun
31
9 : 1 5 a m - Sunday School
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time
1 1 a m - Worship
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship Time
7 8
9 : 1 5 a m - Sunday School
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time
1 1 a m - Worship
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship Time
14
Palm Sunday
9 : 1 5 a m - Sunday School
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time
1 1 a m - Worship
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship Time
2 p m - Community Meal
21
Easter Sunday
8 : 3 0 a m - Early Worship
(Zuanich)
9 : 3 0 a m - Breakfast (Church)
1 0 : 1 5 a m - Easter Egg Hunt
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time
1 1 a m - Worship
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship Time
28
9 : 1 5 a m - Sunday School
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time
1 1 a m - Worship
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship Time
1 2 : 3 0 p m - Out-to-Lunch Bunch
5 p m - Board Meeting
7 p m - Book Group
April 2018
Mon
1 2
6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts]
5 : 1 5 p m - Vision Task Force
6 : 3 0 p m - Stewardship Mtg
6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts]
15
Courier deadline
1 1 : 3 0 a m - Esther Grp Lunch
6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts]
22
Easter Monday
6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts]
29
6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts]
Tue
1 1 a m - Bible Study
6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers]
9 10
1 1 a m - Bible Study
6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers]
16
1 1 a m - Bible Study
6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers]
23
1 1 a m - Bible Study
6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers]
30
1 1 a m - Bible Study
6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers]
Wed
3 4
Bulletin deadline
6 p m - Bell Choir Rehearsal
7 p m - Choir Rehearsal
Bulletin deadline
9 a m - [Interfaith Coalition Staff
Mtg]
6 p m - Bell Choir Rehearsal
7 p m - Choir Rehearsal
17
Bulletin deadline
6 p m - Bell Choir Rehearsal
7 p m - Choir Rehearsal
24
Bulletin deadline
9 a m - [Interfaith Coalition Staff
Mtg]
6 p m - Bell Choir Rehearsal
7 p m - Choir Rehearsal
1 2
Bulletin deadline
6 p m - Bell Choir Rehearsal
7 p m - Choir Rehearsal
Apr 2019 (Pacific Time - Los Angeles)
Thu Fri Sat
5 6
6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents 3 p m - Spong Study Group 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst, Denny's
Anonymous]
7pm - [4H] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
April 2018 calendar
11 12 13
1 : 3 0 p m - [Community to 3 p m - Spong Study Group 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst, Denny's
Community mtg]
6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
Anonymous]
18 19 20
Iglesia de Dios Communion Good Friday (regional holiday) Holy Saturday
Maundy Thursday 3 p m - Spong Study Group 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst, Denny's
6 p m - Pub Theology, Jeckyl & 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
Hyde's @ Jeckyl & Hyde
Deli
6 : 3 0 and
p m - Ale
[ C oHouse,
- D e p e n d709
ents
On
A r cohnayrm
d oPuls#] 1 ,
Bellingham, WA 98225,
USA
25 26 27
1 : 3 0 p m - [Community to 3 p m - Spong Study Group 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst, Denny's
Community mtg]
5 p m - Checking in Group, 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]
location TBD
6 p m - [Family Promise
Coordinators' Mtg]
6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents
Anonymous]
3 4
6 : 3 0 p m - [Co-Dependents 3 p m - Spong Study Group 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst, Denny's
Anonymous]
7pm - [4H] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]