April 2016 Courier

8/19/2019 April 2016 Courier

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Courier

T h e

C r r Vol. 66, No. 4 Bellingham First Christian Church April 2016

T

First Christian Celebrates Ten Years of Disciples Houseand Seeks Continued Support

On Sunday, March 6, an appeal was made from the pulpit to raise fundsfor use on and in Disciples House. After ten years of hosting homelessfamilies, our fund has been used up. Most of that fund came from apartial refund we received from the Bellingham City Council for fees paidto the City of Bellingham. Those fees originally were in excess of$20,000 (an expense we had not counted on in our planning for

Disciples House). The refund was $18,000, most of which went backinto the house. We were able to maintain a $6000 reserve fund forhouse needs. That $6000 plus donations from church members pluswork by The Opportunity Council and Interfaith Coalition has sustainedthe church these past ten years.

We continue to partner with the Opportunity Council and InterfaithCoalition but cannot expect them to meet all the costs of maintaining thehouse, thus the current appeal for funds.

What do the partners do?

The Opportunity Council provides the case management for all of ourguest families. When we refurbished the house they did all the insulation

work and paid for it. They originally installed a new furnace but aboutthree years later received a grant that allowed them to install a 98%efficient furnace. They also installed solar panels on the carport roof thatnot only provides electricity for the house but also puts electricity backinto the power grid. As a result the cost per month for electricityaverages about $6.00. They also installed an “on demand” hot waterheater that provides virtually unlimited hot water for the house at a verylow cost.

Interfaith Coalition continues to pay all of our utility costs as theyhave for the past ten years. Mike Hess is their housing maintenancecoordinator and has done many jobs at Disciples House includingdeconstruction of the bathroom when it was flooded out due to a crack

in the tub, fixing and maintaining appliances, continual inspection of thehouse and coordinating with other services to have repairs made, e.g.we recently had to have some additional venting done for the furnaceand Mike took care of all the coordination with the furnace repaircompany. He also frequently organizes volunteers to do other jobs suchas yard work, pruning bushes, etc. Interfaith has paid for or helped payfor everything from repairs to appliances to hiring cleaners to thoroughlyclean the house after we have had difficult guests. They have alsoprovided furniture for us and often have hauled away refuse from thehouse projects at the house.

continued on page 3


2/8

Shoe’s News

2 April 2016

495 East Bakerview RoadBellingham, WA 98226

[email protected]

www.bellinghamdisciples.org

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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 Godwelcomed us.

All of Us

Ministers

Rev. Gary Shoemaker [email protected]

Rev. Tamalyn KralmanDirector of Ed. & Community OutreachCourier Editor

[email protected]

Amelia Nye Accompanist

Katie RamsteadChildcare Provider

Rev. Sandy MessickRegional Minister

Rev. Sharon Watkins

General Minister and President

Sunday Schedule10:50 a.m. Gathering Time

11 a.m. Worship

12:15 p.m. Fellowship Time

12:30 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch

(4th Sunday)

2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal

(2nd Sunday)

Office HoursMonday - Friday

9 a.m. - noon

Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the

week. Please feel free to stop by during their office

hours or mak e an appointment that fits your

schedule.

OfficersRenee Hoemann, Moderator

Cheryl Perry, Treasurer

First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) Shoe’s News

“Transformation Through Service”

Thank You Received from Lydia Place

Dear First Christian Church,

Thank you so very much for your incredibly generous donation to LydiaPlace and the population we serve. With over 250 homeless families inour clientele, we would be unable to reach everyone withoutphilanthropic hearts like yours. From all of us at Lydia Place, thank youfor your gift.

Best, Lydia Place Team

When I look back over my time here at the church, Iimmediately see a group of people who have changeddramatically. I think there was a time when people wentto church in order to worship on Sunday mornings. Theymight have been part of a fellowship group that would dothings together off and on throughout the month. Butchurch was seen as a place where we 'attend'.

I can't put my finger on the exact time and place wherethe transformation started, but I think it had to do withthe CAST program. Our church was one of three faithcommunities to cooperate in the coffee and sandwichprogram downtown. It has since grown to include soupand other supplies (socks, tarps, health products, etc.).That was about 14 years ago.

Since that time, we've increased our local outreach toinclude Disciples House (celebrating our 10 yearanniversary) the community garden, Socks on the Street,

Amy's Place meals, the community meal (coming up on 2years this summer) and Joseph's closet. We have becomemuch more involved with hands on ministry as a faithcommunity. And that involvement has had a deep impact

on who we are as a faith community. When people visitour church they often hear about the varied projects thatare ongoing. That lets them know that we take seriouslyour mission to follow the servant role that Jesus modeledso well in his ministry.

I am proud of our faith community for all that we've beenable to do together. I'm proud of each and every one ofyou who participate and support these importantministries. You are making a difference in the lives ofsome very special people. Let's keep it up!

Pastor Gary

mailto:?subject=mailto:?subject=mailto:?subject=mailto:?subject=https://twitter.com/FCCBellingham?lang=enhttps://www.facebook.com/First-Christian-Church-Disciples-of-Christ-Bellingham-WA-94816953301/timeline/http://bellinghamdisciples.org/mailto:[email protected]:?subject=mailto:?subject=mailto:?subject=mailto:?subject=https://twitter.com/FCCBellingham?lang=enhttps://www.facebook.com/First-Christian-Church-Disciples-of-Christ-Bellingham-WA-94816953301/timeline/http://bellinghamdisciples.org/mailto:[email protected]


3/8April 2016 3

Management for Medication Therapy Are all those medications you are taking right for you? Are you taking multiple medications?Do you feel overwhelmed by so many pills? Are you sometimes confused about what to takeand when and why? Do you worry about side effects and interactions with other medicationsand foods?

Taking multiple medications can get complicated causing the nuances of drug therapy to getlost. Having multiple chronic conditions with the needed addition of multiple medicationsfurther complicates the issue, and on top of that having more than one doctor making

prescription orders. Drugs with undesirable interactions may be inadvertently prescribed, drugs that may no longer benecessary but continue to get filled, drugs may not be prescribed at the optimal dose are some of the problems oftaking multiple medications.

One way to meet this challenge is a program called Medication Therapy Management (MTM). This involves having a visitwith a pharmacist and health care provider to thoroughly review all of the medications and supplements you take. Thegoal of the review is to determine that the medications are safe, effective, easy to take and are as affordable aspossible ---- all of this with the outcome to help you take an active role in managing your medications.

To begin a comprehensive medication review an appointment with a pharmacist and health care provider is necessary.Several key objectives of this review include: 1) a medication review; the health professional evaluates all prescriptionsand non prescription medications, including herbal and dietary supplements. Dose, side effects, need, safety,

interactions, efficacy of all the drugs are considered in this review. Education and training in managing these drugsshould also be included. The goal is to minimize any harm from these medications and to promote health and wellness.2) Develop a personal medication record -- a document with details that provide a way to consolidate information aboutyou medications in a single source. (These booklets are available on or near the Health Ministries bulletin board in thefellowship hall. You are encouraged to take one.) 3) Develop a medication action plan to correct any problems and tosimplify your drug regimen and to reduce cost.

So, why bother with a medication review? Research has shown that a MTM can bring about many important outcomesto improve health and safety. These include: improve blood pressure, improve cholesterol measurements, reducing needfor hospitalizations and emergency room visits, reduce risk of premature death, improve medication follow-through,safety, and reduce health costs.

How to begin a medication review:

Ask! Do not hesitate to ask your physician for a medication review. Make an appointment for this very purpose.

MTM is covered by many Medicare prescription drug plans. Check with your health insurance carrier to determine if yoursituation qualifies for coverage.

Outcome: a sense of being in control of your health care by being informed and knowing that your prescription regimenis the very best for your needs

Reflection: Great Physician, grant us grace for the ability and will to strive for the best health and well being possible.We seek your Presence to enfold us in Sacred care. Amen.

Jane Kletka,RN FCNHealth Ministries Network

Nurse’s Notes

(Disciples House, cont’d from p. 1)First Christian Church welcomes each family that comes into the house, gives them a $100 gift card to WINCO (not

using church funds but paid for by one of our church families), provides upkeep for the house and the property as wellas general house maintenance, e.g. painting, cleaning between guests, small repairs. We restock the house betweenguests with supplies made available by in-kind donations from our church members. These supplies include such thingsas paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste and tooth brushes, bath soap, laundry soap, dish soap, and various suppliesthat we have available. We also change out the pillows each time, provide towels, blankets, bedding, etc. About oncea year we request these items from our congregation and the response is generous. Each time a new family moves in,the house is clean, complete and ready for occupancy. We also inspect the house between families to determine ifrepairs need to be done.

If you have not had the opportunity to make a contribution, please consider doing so. Simply write Disciples House onan envelope and place it in the collection plate or mail it to the church office.


4/8

More on Disciples House

4 April 2016

A History of Disciples HouseOn July 31, 2005, we moved a house onto our churchproperty. That house had been located at the end ofDeemer Road. You might recall that it was a two story

house built on a lot that allowed it to have a full size, twobedroom, daylight basement. We actually only took thetop half of the house making it a seven on one rambler.

As I best recall, the actual cost for the house mover was$14,000.

In fact, the cost for the entire project was $90,000 butthat was before we convinced the City of Bellingham, viathe City Council, to repay us $18,000 dollars of the$20,000+ in fees that they had charged us before wecould even begin the project. (Sometimes it is nice tohave friends in high places.)

Prior to the move, and after the move, over 235

volunteers from throughout the community contributedover 2,500 hours moving and renovating the house.

How in the world did we come up with $90,000+ for theproject?

We didn’t! As I said at the dedication of DisciplesHouse, “This was a project that was out of our controlfrom the beginning.” Looking back, it seems like it couldnot have happened. It was an exercise in FAITH by thiscongregation. If we had of known in advance that thetotal cost was going to be $90,000, I doubt that wewould have listened to Darlene’s idea for very long. Overthe months we truly began to believe that God, not FCC,

was in charge.

Where did the money come from? I guess you need toask God that question. The earthly answer is varied: a$15,000 grant from Whatcom County allowed us to puton a new roof, gutters, windows and floors; more thanonce money came to us in the way of memorials fromdeparted congregants; our congregation gave money forthe project. Additionally, room sponsors madecontributions of time and materials that did not figureinto our project costs. For example, organizations and

congregations including Women Helping Others, BethIsrael Synagogue, St. Innocence Orthodox Church, theMormon Youth, Assumption Church and yes, FirstChristian Church all participated in setting up rooms.

Also contributing with manpower and resources wereInterfaith Coalition, the Opportunity Council, WilliamsPipeline, WalMart, Lynden Paint and Decorating Center,General Paint in Vancouver, B.C., Whatcom County, the

Bellingham City Council and First Congregational Church.

We had contract work done by Whatcom House Movers,TGF Builders, EMD Construction, Mt. Baker Roofing,Northwest Electric, Lynden Paint and Decorating Centerand 4-Star Drywall.

The house welcomed it’s first family on February 1, 2006when a family of seven moved into the house andremained for two months. There was a mom, a dad, ateenage son and four young daughters. It was the firsttime in several months that they had all been housedtogether. The next was a family of four, a mom, agrandmother and two teenage daughters. And so it goes

until February 23, 2016 when we moved in a family offour, a mom, a dad and two about to be teenage sons.

All told, we have housed close to 50 families over thesepast ten years. That amounts to almost 200 individuals.How well I recall Darlene saying, “We may not be able toeliminate the problem of homelessness but we can helpone family at a time.”

And, so my words to you are simple,”Well done oh goodand faithful servants.”

I have two favorite memories from the past ten years ofDisciples House. The first is a photo I have of Brendawalking up Deemer Road from Telegraph with a moving

house filling the road behind her. She had a smile on herface the entire two blocks.

The second favorite memory many of you witnessed.Two or three years back we had eight and ten year oldgirls living in the house for about three months. Theywould come to church every Sunday and look around,spot where Brenda and I were sitting and come over andsit with us. We had to continuously explain to themwhat was happening. The highlight of each Sundayservice for them was the coffee hour where they atecookies and cake and drank cocoa. It had been a longtime since Brenda and I had two little girls sitting next to

us in church on Sunday.

John Riseland


5/8

Regional Assembly

April 2016 5

Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins

Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins serves as General Minister and President of theChristian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She isan inspirational preacher, teacher and facilitator who shares her considerableskills in a variety of religious and ecumenical settings.

As General Minister, she is general pastor of the denomination, responsible forrepresenting the wholeness of the church, for reconciling differences, and for

helping the church retain its clarity of mission and identity. Her work includesinterpreting The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) andconvening tables for cooperative work.

As General President, she is the chief executive officer for the denomination,responsible for overseeing the work of the church’s various structures. Shestrives to help the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) remain faithful to God’scalling and to do its work effectively and efficiently. Upon her election in 2005,she was the first female head of a mainline denomination. At the 2011 General

Assembly, she was re-elected to a second six-year term, which will extend toJuly 2017.

To read Rev. Watkin's complete biography, visit http://disciples.org/ogmp/dr-watkins-biography/

Rev. Dr. Timothy M. James

Rev. Dr. Timothy M. James serves as the Associate General Minister and Administrative Secretary of the National Convocation of the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Prior to serving in thispost, Dr. James served as pastor at Fifth Christian Church Cleveland, Ohio fortwenty-five years.

Dr. James is married to the former Joyce Sizemore of Steubenville, Ohio.Together they have five children and five grandchildren.

Dr. James is a graduate of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH Christian

Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Culver-Stockton-College in Canton, MO;and Alameda Community College in Alameda, CA.

Dr. James is a third generation Disciples of Christ preacher. He will, however,be the first to say that he appreciates this family linage and heritage, but heunderstands, this is not a criteria for salvation. He is glad to be able to say, “Iknow Jesus for myself.”

For more information or to register, please visit http://www.disciplesnw.org/article/2016assembly#cost.


6/86 April 2016

Sunday, April 3Elders: Leslie Pinkston (O), Margaret Brown (C)Lock-Up: Brenda RiselandIn Home Communion: Jane Kletka

Leslie PinkstonDeacons: Kathy Wheeler, Lynn PlancichReader: Megan ShoemakerGreeters: John & Brenda RiselandFlowers: TBDFellowship Time: Book Group

Sunday, April 10Elders: Kelvin Smith (O), Melody Hoffman (C)

Deacons: Renee Hoemann, James Becker,Reader: Bruce RadtkeGreeter: Jane KletkaFlowers: TBDFellowship Time: TBD

Sunday, April 17Elders: John Riseland (O), Gregg Heyne (C)Deacons: Ardythe Hannah, Connie Page,

Linda HeyneReader: Don HoffmanGreeters: Schmidling FamilyFlowers: TBDFellowship Time: Wild Goose

Sunday, April 24Elders: Brenda Riseland (O), Jane Kletka (C)Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Alexis PinkstonReader: James BeckerGreeter: Kathy Wheeler & Alisha SanchezFlowers: Esther GroupFellowship Time: Esther Group

Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall toparticipate in these important ministries…• Reader: Read the scripture during worship• Greeter: Welcome people as they arrive at the

church on Sunday morning

• Flowers: Bring flowers for the sanctuary forSunday worship

• Fellowship Time: Bring goodies for folks to shareafter worship

Bob Dawes, Chloe Gibson, Donna Fairchild, BillPribilsky, Mary Lee Wiser, Joanne Harrell, health concerns

Contact the church office for a complete list.

Who’s on First?! Joys and Concerns

Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)

Find Weekly Lectionary Readingshttp://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

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, 12:30 p.m., 4th Sundays - An

informal gathering that visits locally owned restaurants.• Book Group, 7 p.m., 4th Sundays - This groupexplores books to expand their minds and their hearts.

• Esther Group, 11:30 a.m., 3rd Mondays - A women'sgroup that meets for lunch in local restaurants. (No host.)

• Bible Study, Noon, Tuesdays - Meeting in the churchlibrary, this group explores the lectionary scriptures.

• Wild Goose Worship, 6:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tuesdays- An alternative church experience for young(ish) adults.Location varies. Contact church for details.

• Pub Theology, 6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursdays - Beer,conversation, and God! (Or any beverage of your choice.)Currently meeting at Hops ’n Headz, 3207 NW Ave.

• Checking in Group, 5 p.m., 4th Thursdays -supportivegroup of people who share life's journey together.

• Men's Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Saturdays at Denny's - All men are invited to join this weekly breakfast group forfun and fellowship. (No host.)

For more info on how to assist in any of these projects,please contact us at [email protected].

• Community Meal

• Joseph’s Closet• Disciples House• CAST• Socks on the Street

• Food Bank collections

• Blessing Bags• Hospitals & wells

(Africa) • Community Garden

Happy BirthdayPat Whitney 1

Sarah Wheeler 2Mary Ann Teeters 2Connor Hoemann 4Frances VanDyke 9

Abigail Hulbert 14 Allison Ronney 17Jordan Devin Truth

(aka Greg Smith) 23

Maija Haggith 25Elise King 28Happy AnniversaryKelly & Tom Gilson 10

Joys and ConcernsPlease submit written requests to update this list.

Cele b ate!

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


7/8April 2016 7

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

April calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

7:30a Men’s

Breakfast,Denny’s

3

9:30a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time

11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time

4 5

NoonBible Study

6:30p Wild

GooseWorship,Wild Goose

Room at thechurch(Room 3/5)

6

Bulletin

deadline

6p Bell Choir

7p ChancelChoir

7 8 9

7:30a Men’s

Breakfast,Denny’s

10

9:30a Sunday School

10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship

12:15p Fellowship Time

2p Someone CaresCommunity Meal

& Joseph’s Closet

11

6:30 pStewardship

Meeting

12

Noon

Bible Study

13

Bulletindeadline

6p Bell Choir7p ChancelChoir

14 15

CourierDeadline

16

7:30a Men’sBreakfast,

Denny’s

17

7:30a Elders’ Meeting9:30a Sunday School

10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship

12:15p Fellowship Time

18

11:30 a.m.Esther Group

5:30 p.m .Prayer Vigil

for Peace inthe Middle

East,

@BellinghamFriends

19

NoonBible Study

6:30p Wild

GooseWorship,

location TBD

20

Bulletin

deadline

6p Bell Choir7p Chancel

Choir

21

6:30 p.m.Pub

Theology,Hops ’n

Headz

22 23

7:30a Men’sBreakfast,

Denny’s

24

9:30a Sunday School

10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time

12:30 p Out-to-LunchBunch

7p Book Group

25 26

Noon

Bible Study

27

Bulletindeadline

6p Bell Choir

7p ChancelChoir

28

5p Checking

in Group

29 30

7:30a Men’s

Breakfast,Denny’s

A ! l 2016

http://hopsnheadz.com/


8/8

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First Christian Church

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A church of grace and welcome for all!

495 East Bakerview Road

Bellingham, W A 98226-9168

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To unsubscribe: Contact 360.734.6820, 495 East

Bakerview R oad, Bellingham, WA 98226, or

[email protected].

Le ar n a S ec ond L a ngua geSign up in the fellowship hall to

take a beginning Spanish class

with Nicole Herrera. The textbook,

Practice Makes Perfect Basic

Spanish, Second Edition, by

Dorothy Richmond, is available

on A mazon. A dditional fees for

materials may apply. Class is

tentatively scheduled for Mondays at 7 p.m.,beginning April 4.

Read the Regional Newsletter

Click here to read the current issue of

No r t hwe st Passage s , the

newsletter of the Northwest

Regional Christian Church (Disciples of

Christ).

Su pp o t F arm W o ker sSaturday, April 30, 5 p.m.St. James Presbyterian Church910 14th St.Come for an evening of desserts andentertainment, Sponsored by FarmWorkers’ Ministry, the event will raise funds for the

ongoing efforts of FWM and National Farm Worker

Ministry (NFWM), a faith-based organization

committed to justice for and empowerment of farmworkers. Suggested donation $20.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.disciplesnw.org/sites/default/files/doc/NWPassage16March.pdfhttp://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Perfect-Spanish-Second-Edition/dp/0071849211http://www.disciplesnw.org/sites/default/files/doc/NWPassage16March.pdf

April 2016 Courier

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