CourierTheC r rTVol. 65, No. 12 Bellingham First Christian Church December 2015 The Christian Courier The Christian Courier The Christian Courier The C

First Sunday of Advent - HopeSunday, November 29

Second Sunday of Advent - PeaceSunday, December 6 12:15 p.m. Alternative Christmas Fair Spend your holiday dollars in life- saving ways. Dig a well, send a child to school, build a hospital, co-sponsor a micro-loan for women. Change the world!

Third Sunday of Advent - JoySunday, December 13 2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal and Joseph’s Closet

A Gift of MusicSaturday, December 19 Noon Meet at Bellis Fair Mall food court for lunch, then climb in the church bus to go Christmas caroling

Fourth Sunday of Advent - LoveSunday, December 20 11 a.m. Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata “One Silent Night”

Winter SolsticeTuesday, December 22 6:30 p.m. Longest Night Worship: A service of solace for those who grieve during the holidays

Christmas EveThursday, December 24 6:30 p.m. Living Nativity & Candlelight Worship Service

Advent 2015hope peace joy love

r

Shoe’s News

2 December 2015

495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226

360.734.6820 office@bellinghamdisciples.org 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 God welcomed us.

All of Us Ministers

Rev. Gary Shoemaker Pastor gary@bellinghamdisciples.org

Rev. Tamalyn Kralman Director of Ed. & Community Outreach Courier Editor tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org

Michele Fode Finance Administrator finance@bellinghamdisciples.org

Amelia Nye Accompanist

TBD Childcare Provider

Rev. Sandy Messick Regional Minister

Rev. Sharon Watkins General Minister and President

Sunday Schedule 10:50 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 Hours Monday - 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 make an appointment that fits your schedule. Officers Don Hoffman, Chair Megan Shoemaker, Secretary Cheryl Perry, Treasurer

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

“Not Alone”

Our hearts were nearly shattered at the sadness we experienced from last week through Sunday.  The sudden loss of Lillian Moir, the attacks on Beirut and Paris, the sudden loss of Connie Eckler on Sunday morning.  It has sent us reeling and in need of comfort and hope.  It sometimes feels like the very ground beneath our feet is shifting, we need to renew our sense of balance.

I'm not alone in the feeling that it was good to be surrounded by the church community in the days during and following these tragedies.  I don't know that I've ever felt the warm love of church more than this past weekend. Yes, we were grieving, yes there was sadness.  But there was also an awareness that we are not traveling this path alone.  God travels with us indeed, but there is also the more tangible group that walks with us called “church.”

After the loss of Lillian, the concept of “church” was immediately expanded to include our Regional Church which was having a “Common Table” gathering near Ellensburg.  They held a time of prayer and remembrance on Saturday.  They immediately started reaching out to us and were holding us in prayer and care.  It also expanded to include the General Church and Global Ministries.  I received messages of love and concern from across the country, reminding me once again of Lillian's reach and depth of service over the years.

We're not alone on our journey.  Not even remotely.

I met with Connie's sister yesterday and spent time at her kitchen table as she remembered Connie through tears and laughter.  It was a moment of grace as I represented Connie's church family in her sister's home.  After one last hug, I left with the assurance that she no longer felt alone in her grief.  

God calls us to be there for one another throughout all of life's ups and downs.  We are truly the Body of Christ when we put our arms around people (including each of us) and enfold them in our care.

Pastor Gary

In Loving Memory

December 2015 3

Global Ministries is Saddened to Learn of the Death of Lillian Marie Moir BY GLOBAL MINISTRIES ON NOVEMBER 17, 2015

Lillian Marie Moir

August 25, 1940 – November 13, 2015

Lillian Moir, age 75, died as a result of her injuries from a car accident on Friday, November 13, 2015. A native of the state of Washington, Lillian was born on August 25, 1940 in Bellingham, and she graduated from Washington State University with a major in journalism.

Upon obtaining her degree in journalism, Lillian worked for eight years as the Church Editor for the Idaho Daily Statesman in Boise, where she developed the first church page of news and features related to local and national religious happenings.

From 1969 to 1987, Lillian worked for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Office of Communication in Indianapolis, Indiana as the News and Information Manager. Her responsibilities in this capacity enabled her to travel to many places of the world and to interview world leaders, such as Indira Gandhi and Ferdinand Marcos. She also traveled to China, Great Britain, and Kenya to cover the assemblies of the World Council of Churches.

In 1987, Lillian became a missionary in Swaziland through the Division of Overseas Ministries (today Global Ministries). During her two year appointment in Swaziland, Lillian was the Director of Communications with the Council of Swaziland Churches. In this position, she oversaw the production of Council newsletters to constituent bodies, press releases and speech editing, along with many other responsibilities.

After the completion of this appointment, Lillian returned to Indianapolis to become a home-based staff member of the Division of Overseas Ministries in the Office of Mission Education and Interpretation for several years until she returned to Africa in 1995. Lillian Moir then was appointed as the Communication Officer for the Council of Churches in Namibia, where she wrote many communication pieces, including profound newsletters on the current events through the eyes of Namibian colleagues and through interviews with prominent leaders to better understand the hopeful work of the Council of Churches in Namibia. In 2002, she transitioned from this role into the position of Registrar at the Kgolagano College in Gaborone, Botswana, where she was responsible for the overall administration of the college. Lillian continued in this position until 2005, when she returned to the state of Washington.

In retirement, Lillian was very active in her local congregation, First Christian Church in Bellingham, and with the Northwest Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with whom she served as regional board secretary and as a member of the Commission on Ministry. She currently was the Disciple Chair of the Global Ministries Team, a joint expression with the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC). Regional Minister Sandy Messick writes, [Lillian] regularly attended the NW Area clergy gatherings and was a welcome presence at most regional gatherings, often traveling great distances to attend. Her witness for ecumenical and global ministries will be missed as well as her faithful presence and spirit.

Lillian also continued to stay very active within Global Ministries after her return to Washington through hosting and attending global educational events, promoting materials and programs of Global Ministries, working with her local church on Global Ministries Alternative Christmas and in raising support for other special global initiatives whenever the opportunity arose. Lillian traveled to several countries in Africa in retirement, and once repatriated ashes of a former UCC missionary to Zimbabwe, carrying them in her carry-on luggage. She was a treasured member of the Global Ministries extended family, always ready to contribute whenever able, and worked always in a unifying, ecumenical attitude.

The memorial service for Lillian Moir will be on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. (with lunch to follow) at the First Christian Church, 495 E. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226. Condolences may be sent to Lillian’s niece, Shannon Parrish, 1545 Oceanaire Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. Global Ministries welcomes gifts in Lillian’s memory to: Global Ministries, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Gifts also can be received online at: https://donate.globalministries.org/onlinegiving -- please put Lillian’s name in the Tribute fields at the foot of the online giving form.

4 December 2015

Nurse’s Notes

We Must Express Our Gratitude Special thanks goes to Paul Van Dyke, our long time mower, who has done the mowing beside our Sunday School rooms and around Disciples house “the old fashioned way,” with the push mower. Paul, we are so very grateful to you for your

dedication and hard work. Enjoy your retirement!

Do You Smell the Cookies? Cascade Connections, the organization which brings Terry, Octavia, and Sarah to us to help clean our facility and label our newsletters, has helped coordinate a new connection. Our new volunteer is named Tim. He has been

delivering to Bellingham Community Meals, but they don’t have those dinners on a regular basis. I am thinking that maybe we should partner with your program instead. What are your thoughts?

Sweet Surrender Now that we are actually in the holiday season, with its attendant parties and feasting, our intake of calories, and e s p e c i a l l y s u g a r, o f t e n increases.

Some intake of sugar is fine but as a nation we ingest far too much of it. The average American adult devours almost 20 teaspoons of added sugar (defined as sweeteners added during food processing and preparation) every day. The average teenager consumes even more.

Sugar is everywhere: bread, ketchup, flavored yogurt, and seasoned nuts, meaning we take in around two to three times more added sugar than the American Heart Association recommends. This added intake translates into epidemic health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Basically, our bodies do not need sugar. It contains empty calories and so has no nutritional benefit. Our cells do require small amounts of sugar to function, but the liver can convert protein into sugar, so we do not need to eat it.

We eat sugar because it tastes good and because it gives us energy and provides a feel-good sensation by awakening the reward centers in the brain (similar to drug addiction), and by lowering the impact of stress. Consuming sugar makes us want more, setting up a cascade effect that leads to weight gain and other health problems over time.

Consuming excess carbohydrates leads to weight gain as well. Carbohydrates (everything from candy to pasta) contain molecules of glucose (a sugar). The glucose enters the blood stream stimulating the pancreas to release the hormone insulin that removes it to cells that need energy. If the glucose is not used it is stored as fat leading to weight gain. Sugar is not just sweet it is in starchy carbohydrates such as bread, rice and potatoes.

Not only does sugar promote weight gain it also can increase the risk for neurological conditions. The brain is

very responsive to nutritional changes. Frequent blood sugar spikes can be linked to a process of inflammation which leads to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and even multiple sclerosis. Sugars in the blood stream cause chronic inflammation making the immune system overwork to create chemical changes that can lead to arthritis and certain cancers.

So, thinking about all the deleterious effects of sugar consumption, are we required to dump it all and avoid sugar all together? No. Sugar does not have to be completely eliminated to stay healthy. Sugar is not the only link to health problems. Lack of exercise, smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, and other negative life-style choices are also factors.

The point is to not eat so much sugar. According to the American Heart Association women should consume only six teaspoons of added sugar per day ( the equivalent of an average candy bar or eight ounces of soda). Men should limit their intake to nine teaspoons per day and children should have no more than three or four teaspoons (equal to one granola bar).

One way to reduce sugar intake is to stop consumption for a few days of all carbs (no bread, chips, potatoes, sweets or fruit). When sugar is reintroduced to the diet the craving for it is less. Another way to limit sugar in the diet is to stop sweetened sodas ("diet" and regular), energy and vitamin drinks. Decreasing consumption of processed food also reduces sugar intake. Unprocessed food means less sugar, more fiber (which stabilizes blood sugar); processed foods mean more sugar, less fiber.

Cutting down on sugar is not easy but as the body overcomes cravings, we notice how sweet it is to break sugar's hold on us.

Reflection: Creator God help us to not be so energized by choices that make us ill, but by the energy provided by dwelling in the energy and spirit of the Sacred. May we run and not be weary, may we live in joy and may we center ourselves in the nurturing energy of Grace. Amen

Jane Kletka, RN FCN Health Ministries Network St Joseph Medical Center

Nurse’s Notes

What’s Happening in Our NurseryAs you may have noticed, we’ve been having a bit of a baby boom here at First Christian. Yes, oodles of babies. And toddlers. And crawlers. And wobblers. And they’re running amok! In order to give some assistance to the bedraggled parents and grandparents, we have hired a Childcare Attendant. We are pleased to announce that the well qualified and extremely loving and kind Katie Ramstead will join our staff on Sunday, November 29.

How can you help, you ask? (And such a wonderful questions that is and how kind of you.)

• Drop a few extra $$ in the offering plate to cover this new expense.

• Volunteer to assist Katie as the numbers exceed state mandated adult to child ratios. (No expertise required, just humor, patience, and tolerance for nose oogies and diapers. And maybe blood. But hopefully not that one.)

• Help us spruce up and equip our nursery. We have need of new toys, bedding, & kid accoutrements.

News from the Pews

December 2015 5

Joys and Concerns Please submit written requests to update this list.

New to Our List: The family of Lillian Moir, who died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident, Friday, November 13 The family of Connie Eckler, who died in the night, Saturday, November 14

Jack Edward Norman Keoki Schmidling and Mama Makena, as they navigate the new waters of life together

Ongoing: Diana Findley, health concerns, as well as concerns for her son’s health Bill Pribilsky, recovering from a broken hip Mary Lee Wiser, health concerns Joanne Harrell, health concerns Donna Fairchild, health concerns Ardythe Hannah’s loved ones Irina, Stevie and Jeremy, for healing in their lives Cyndy Koehn’s friend Terry Buchanan, breast cancer Disciples House Residents, past, present and future Iglesia de Dios, as together we share God’s love from this space Raices Culturales and the children in their gardening program in our field Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister Rev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President Our General Church ministries Yakama Christian Mission Victims of injustice, violence, poverty, disease, and disaster worldwide All troops involved in world conflict Peacemakers worldwide

Welcome, Baby Jack!Announcing the birth of

Jack Edward Norman Keoki Schmidling Born

12:33am, Nov. 17, 2015. 8lbs 8.5oz, 21.5 inches

Proud mama is Makena Schmidling.Happy grandparents are Betty and Charles Schmidling.

As always, the annual holiday bazaar required a tremendous number of hours and muscles to pull together. Thanks goes to this year’s chair, Kathy Wheeler, who nearly lived at the church, as the dreams

became reality, as well as Margaret Brown, Darleen Page, Leslie Pinkston and the many others who worked round the clock to create goodies and products for sale. Congratulations goes to the winners of this year’s raffle items, Beth Leonard - quilt, Suzy Merrick - wreath, and Jane Kletka - stained glass sailboat. The preliminary count shows earnings of $3636. The money will go to both local and international outreach. [Pictured: stained glass sailboat created by John Riseland; wooden wreath created by Lynn Plancich, handcrafted quilt created by Margaret brown]

The Share the Spirit Bazaar Was a Success!

6 December 2015

Sunday, December 6 Elders: Don Hoffman (O), Leslie Pinkston (C) Lock-Up: John Riseland In Home Communion: Melody Hoffman Joe Plancich Deacons: Jane Kletka, Lynn Plancich, Alexis Pinkston Reader: James Becker Greeters: Bekki & Russ Weston Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD

Sunday, December 13 Elders: John Riseland (O), Brenda Riseland (C) Lock-Up: John Riseland Deacons: Marian Overcash, Linda Heyne, Max Perry Reader: Gregg Heyne Greeter: John and Brenda Riseland Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD

Sunday, December 20 Elders: Margaret Brown (O), Melody Hoffman (C) Lock-Up: Gregg Heyne Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Pat Whitney, Connie Page Reader: Charles Schmidling Greeter: Jane Kletka Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD

Sunday, December 27 Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), TBD (C) Lock-Up: Gregg Heyne Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Ardythe Hannah Reader: Don Hoffman Greeter: Connie Page Flowers: Esther Group Fellowship Time: Esther Group Weekly Lawn Mowers: Gregg Heyne Leslie Pinkston Gary Shoemaker

Happy Birthday Cyndy Koehn 1 Walter Bayless 2 Alisha Sanchez 7 Wei Wei Perry 8 Terry Udo 9 Devon Martin 12 Sandy Grant 13 Felix Foster 19 Betty Erickson 21 Joe Plancich 28

Happy Anniversary Robert & Kim Naidu 14 Dan & Yuwei Perry 26 Gary Shoemaker & Tamalyn Kralman 27 Don & Melody Hoffman 30

The two adult Sunday School classes will be merging on Sunday, December 13 for a second session on stewardship. We will explore the Bible to see what is said about a giving life.

December

Who’s on First?!

Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)

Find Weekly Lectionary Readings http://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 - This

informal gathering, visits locally owned and run restaurants.

• Book Group, 7 p.m., 4th Sundays - This group explores books to expand their minds and their hearts.

• Esther Group, 11:30 a.m., 3rd Mondays - this group meets for lunch and fellowship in a local restaurant.

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

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

• Pub Theology, 6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursdays - Beer, conversation, and God! (Or any beverage of your choice.)

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

For more info on how to assist in any of these projects, please contact us at office@bellinghamdisciples.org.

• Community Meal • Joseph’s Closet • Disciples House • CAST

• Socks on the Street • Collecting food for the

Food Bank • Care Package

December 2015 7

December 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

December calendar

1

Noon Bible Study6:30p Wild Goose Worship, location TBD

2

Bulletindeadline

3 4 5

7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s

69:30a Sun. School10:20a Gathering Time10:30a Worship11:45p Fellowship Time12:15p Alternative Christmas Fair

7 8

Noon Bible Study

9Bulletindeadline

6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal

10 11 12

7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s

13

9:30a Sun. School - joint adult class10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:10p Congregational Meeting12:15p Fellowship Time2p Someone Cares Community Meal

14

6:30 pStewardshipMeeting

15

Courier Deadline

Noon Bible Study

6:30 p Wild Goose Worship, location TBD

16Bulletindeadline

6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal

17

6p Chancel Choir rehearsal

18

5:30 p.m .Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East

19

7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s

Noon Meet at food court at Bellis fair mall for lunch & Christmas caroling

207:30a Elders’ Mtg9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship - Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata12:15p Fellowship Time

21

11:30 a.m.Esther Group

22Winter

SolsticeNoon Bible Study

6:30p Longest Night Worship

23Bulletindeadline

6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal

24

6:30 p.m.Living Nativity & Christmas Eve Worship

25 26

7:30a Men’s Breakfast, Denny’s

27

9:30a Sun. School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:15p Fellowship Time12:30 p Out-to-Lunch Bunch7p Book Group

28 29

Noon Bible Study

30

Bulletindeadline

6p Bell Choir Rehearsal7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal

31Please pick up your end-of-

year financial statements in the narthex.

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“The… challenge of Christmas is this: justice is what happens when all receive a

fair share of God’s world and only such distributive justice

can establish peace on earth.” -John Dominic Crossan

Read the Regional NewsletterClick here to read the current issue of

No r t hwes t Pa s sages , t he newsletter of the Northwest

Regional Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Save the Date Fri., Jan. 8 10:30 a.m. - Memorial Service for Lillian Moir

Sign Up to Help with Refugee Resettlement If you have a room in your home, available rental space, are able to teach English, can provide transportation, or might be able to offer other necessary services to refugees being resettled in our community, please fill out the volunteer form at Whatcom Peace and Justice Center.