SALMON CREEK

UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH

12217 NE HWY 99

Vancouver, WA 98686-3621

(360) 573-3111

www.salmoncreekchurch.org

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

PAID

PERMIT #610

VANCOUVER, WA

Thank you for reading the Circuit Rider! If

you have questions or concerns please feel free to

contact us.

12217 NE HWY 99

Vancouver WA, 98686

Submissions for the Circuit Rider can be sent to

communications@salmoncreekchurch.org. Articles

and Announcements are due by midnight on the

second Monday of each month.

Visit us online at

salmoncreekchurch.org

June Birthdays 10. Renee Canfield 11. Dolly Forreste 11. Rebecca Lloyd 11. Martha Retzlaff 11. Jeni Smith 12. Red Gilbert 12. Tracy Gore 13. Marilyn Forman 13. Barbara Harmon 13. Larry Kennedy 14. Sage Smith

1. Kaitlyn Standley 4. Linda Garrison 4. Meghan Pemberton 4. Phyllis Stajgr 5. James Reeves 6. Albert Bauer 6. Zachary Nieda 6. Marla Rapp 7. Ilianna Aguirre 8. Nancy Vlcek 9. Emily Pemberton

16. Jim Beyer 16. Hermon Hagos 16. Kyle Prichard 17. Jacque Ploium 18. Billie Brummel 19. Melissa Brandon 19. Nancy Schmahl 20. Jerry Davis 21. Angela Beyer 22. Jayne McCarley 23. Dean Anderson

23. Loretta Harrington 24. Thomas Pfandler 25. Fithawi Hagos 25. Krissy St.Hilaire 25. David Pervere 26. Karen Beilsmith 27. Evelyn Bergstrom 27. Margaret Brown 30. Dennis E. Brown 30. Sut Oishi

UMW News

Spiritual Growth

Finance report

Staff Parish Relations

Youth Ministry News

Summer Sermon Series

June 2016 Feature

the

At our Visioning event on April 23rd we identified three areas of focus:

Life Changing Outreach – reaching out to the community and world in ways that change those served and those who serve.

Investing in the Kingdom Future – ministries to children, youth, young adults and young families.

Relational and Informational Connections – the glue that holds us together as a church body and allows us to welcome new members.

At our meeting last Tuesday night the administrative board empowered these teams to develop a proposal of 2-3 specific initiatives that will

define the culture of Salmon Creek church over the next 12 – 18 months.

In developing this plan we ask that each team create a mechanism to seek input and/or involve others in the congregation with a passion for

outreach. Please consider the dreams that were presented by members of the congregation during our April 23rd visioning event. These

items are listed on the individual letters.

Please also work to address these challenges that were raised up by church members:

Timeline: Monthly report to the Council on Ministries or Administrative Board Present plan to Ad Board November 1st, 2016 to be approved before presentation to Charge Conference. We are currently in the process of involving team members who have a passion for these different areas. If you feel called to one of these teams please contact Kathy Hardy and she will get you in touch with the team leaders.

Personal integration/assimilation - lacking Bureaucracy Presuming that people want to attend our church Letting go of preconceptions 1st & 2nd services are separated Intergenerational unity – lacking Communication Inward focus Resistance to change Not equipped to minister in the none zone Climate of uncertainty

Failure to raise up new leaders No clear sense of identity as a church Members have busy schedules outside of church Finances are down Lack of outreach Music ministries lack leadership Can’t retain visitors/new families Lacking connection with larger UMC Lack of connection between elders and youth Missing the joy

Sunday June 26th, Following 2nd Service

For anyone who is interested in giving input into our visioning process! Come and join the discussion regarding Life Changing Outreach, Investing in the Kingdom Future or Informational and Relational Connections. Aebleskiver brunch will be served - bring a jar of your favorite jam to share! Contact Kathy Hardy, 546-2315, for more information.

to Spiritual Growth ◄ May 2016

Salmon Creek UMC June 2016 Calendar

of Events July 2016 ►

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 VBS Registration

Begins 9:00 Luv to Dance 12:30 Grant House Quilters 5:45 Soccer 6:00 Praise Team 6:30 Men’s Group

2 6:45 AM Men’s Group 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 5:00 Upward Star Basket Ball 5:45 Handbell Practice 7:00 Ohio Northern Choir Concert 7:00 Choir Rehearsal

3 7:00 EOCF-Head Start

4 1100-12:30 Mission Trip Team Session 1

5 Communion Sun-

day Women’s Min. Bake Sale 8:30 & 10:00 Worship 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 9:30 SS Teacher Plan. Mtg. 10:00 Sunday School 11:30 Age Level Volun-teer Appreciation 3:00 Disciple II 4:00 Youth Group 6:30 Lenski’s Small Group

6 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Felida Friends 2:00 Knit 1, Pray 2 6:00 Boy Scout Venture Crew 6:30 Boy Scouts Spring Court of Honor 7:00 YRT Mtg. 7:00 Branches

7 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Tues. AM Small Group 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 6:00 Missions comm. mtg. 6:30 FANN Distribution 7:00 Council on Minis-tries

8 9:00 Luv to Dance 11:15 Games with kids at SC 12:30 Grant House Quilters 5:45 Soccer 6:00 Praise Team 6:30 Men’s Group

9 6:45 AM Men’s Group 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 5:00 Upward Star Basket Ball 6:00 Handbell Practice 7:00 Spiritual Growth Mtg. 7:00 Choir Rehearsal 7:00 Trustees

10 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 DC Rummage Sale Set up

11 8:30 Rummage Sale

12 Fair Trade Cof-

fee Sale 8:30 & 10:00 Worship 8:30 Rummage Sale 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 10:00 Sunday School 11:15 D.Herbert Trust Mtg. 11:30 Sr. High Recogni-tion 4:00 Youth Group 4:00 White’s Small Group 6:30 Lenski’s Small Group

13 Circuit rider arti-

cles due 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Felida Friends 2:00 Knit 1, Pray 2 5:30 Whispering Hope 6:00 Boy Scout Venture Crew 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:30 Youth Core Team

14 Serving at Share 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Tues. AM Small Group 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 6:30 Finance Comm. Mtg. 7:00 Stephen’s Ministry

15 9:00 Luv to Dance 11:30 Naomi’s Sisters Potluck 12:30 Grant House Quilters 5:45 Soccer 6:00 Praise Team 6:30 Men’s Group 6:30 VBS Station & Crew Leaders meeting

16 6:45 AM Men’s Group 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 5:00 Upward Star Basket Ball 6:00 Handbell Practice 6:30 Wings of Refuge-Cancer supt. 6:30 SCCPD Bd. Mtg. 7:00 Choir Rehearsal 7:00 Boy Scout Comm. Mtg

17 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 12:00 Book Club

18 9:00 Ackley Farm Work Day

19 Father’s Day Lighting One Can-dle 8:30 & 10:00 Worship 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 9:45 Acolyte Training 10:00 Sun. School 10:00 Sun. Morning Youth 11:30 Women’s Min. Mtg 4:00 Youth Group

20 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Felida Friends 2:00 Knit 1, Pray 2 6:00 Boy Scout Venture Crew 6:30 Boy Scouts 6:30 Health Ministry Mtg.

21 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Tues. AM Small Group 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 1:00 UMW 6:30 Worship Comm. Mtg. 6:30 FANN Distribution 7:00 Boy Scout PLC 7:00 Worship

22 9:00 Luv to Dance 12:30 Grant House Quilters 5:45 Soccer 6:00 Praise Team 6:30 Men’s Group

23 PNW Annual Conf. 6:45 AM Men’s Group 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 5:00 Upward Star Basket Ball 6:00 Handbell Practice 7:00 Choir Rehearsal

24 PNW Annual Conf. 7:00 EOCF-Head Start

25 PNW Annual Conf.

26 PNW Annual

Conf. Youth Car Wash Fundraiser 8:30 & 10:00 Worship 9:30 Coffee Fellowship 9:50 Last Regular Sun. School 4:00 Youth New 6th Graders Invitation

27 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Felida Friends 6:00 Boy Scout Venture Crew 6:30 Boy Scouts

28 Circuit rider mail-

ing 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 9:00 Tues. AM Small Group 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 6::30 SPR Mtg.

29 9:00 Luv to Dance 12:30 Grant House Quilters 5:45 Soccer 6:00 Praise Team 6:30 Men’s Group

30 6:45 AM Men’s Group 7:00 EOCF-Head Start 11:00 Fresh Start-AA 5:00 Upward Star Basket Ball 6:00 Handbell Practice 6:15 DC Graduation-Chapel 7:00 Choir Rehearsal

Notes:

to Spiritual Growth

April, 2016 Financial Report

The worksheet below displays our financial results through the end of April. Our pledge income is only 91 % of Plan levels through April, and as a result we had a deficit for April of ($ 3,670). Our payroll costs are slightly below plan due to the vacant Music Director position, but some facility / insurance costs has resulted in total expenses being unfavorable to plan by (4,970) and (5,012) on a month to date and year to date, respectively. Our aging facility requires constant maintenance and we have just started a 15,000 project to repair a section of our roof. The April statements reflect the first 7,000 of that cost. Your Finance Committee has several projects in the works; identifying long term financial needs (e.g. roof replacement, parking lot renova-tion, etc.) and updating our accounting system, with the continuing goal of getting our accounts into an “audit ready” condition. Month of April YTD April, 2016 Favorable Actual Budget (Unfav) Actual Budget (Unfav) Income $ 40,974 $ 39,683 $ 1.291 $ 155,061 $ 158,732 ($ 3,671) Expenses $ 44,644 39,674 ( 4,970) 163,708 158,696 ( 5,012) Over/(Under) ($ 3,670) 9 ( 3,679) ( 8,647) 36 ( 8,683) We have a bit to make up, so we are closely monitoring our financial results. As always, thanks to everyone for their continuing faithfulness and stewardship in 2016, and if you have any questions, please contact any member of your Finance Committee! Respectfully submitted, May 12, 2016. Winston Asai

Our mission at Salmon Creek UMC is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the

world”. We encourage everyone in our faith community to be intentional about your own personal spiritual

growth. At Salmon Creek UMC we promote using the spiritual growth framework called “The Roadmap to

Spiritual Growth”, which comprises four areas of focus,

Knowing Christ, Growing in Christ, Serving Christ, Sharing Christ

Go on a VIM trip!

From his own personal experience a fellow church member, Larry Kennedy, shares how you grow in your

faith by sharing Christ with people outside church, maybe even in another part of the world.

Larry writes, “Do you want to grow closer to Christ? Extend yourself by doing an UMCOR Volunteer in Mission

(VIM) project. Never heard of VIM? Ask Pastor Joyce to scour the Vancouver District for names of churches or individuals that may be putting

together a VIM project or trip. Don't stop with the Vancouver District. Go to the UMCOR VIM contact person for our conference and find who

is planning a Volunteer in Mission project. Once you have identified a potential VIM project the fun begins. If it is an overseas mission trip gain

all the knowledge about the country you will travel to. Afraid of a language barrier? Don't worry, hire an interpreter that speaks both languages

or learn as much of the language as you can. There are Bibles that have both languages side-by-side. Get to know the people, sign language

or gestures often get the job done. Enjoy working with some of God's people for a long lasting experience. If your work site is in a remote

area and you have made lots of observations when you arrive stateside I challenge you to go Fred Meyer or Safeway and walk down the dry

cereal grocery isle. You cannot but feel that by this experience you have grown to know Christ.”

Fast from Something…. Fasting is an ancient faith-building practice of denying something in your life in order to devote time and thought to your relationship with God. Most people think of food when they hear about fasting. It is true that skipping a few meals can lead you to be more appreciative of God’s provision but it’s not the only way to fast. In today’s fast-moving, connected culture there are all kinds of things we could chose to fast from in order to devote energy to

better knowing Jesus Christ. There’s social media, such as Facebook, or 24-hour cable TV news, or video gaming for example. Try fasting from one of these type things for a few days and use the time to read a book about the Christian faith, or maybe one of the Gospels in the Bible. You’ll find it well worth it

Greetings. Here's my best effort at getting a newsy interesting writing for your June issue of The Circuit Rider. I'll try to include bits of infor-mation I've submitted for the Sunday Bulletin, the Sanctuary Screen, and The Currents. Lest I forget, I want readers to have a look at the Little Free Library close to the church entrance. Also make good use of The Upper Room. It's quick to read, uplifting, and always varied. From an-other devotion called Our Daily Bread I felt led to do an Impersonation of Dr. Virginia Connally at the April 19 UMW meeting. It's an inspiring and fast moving story. She was the first female physician to open a medical practice in 1940 in Abilene TX. She retired after 42 years. She

used her vacation to do medical missionary work.

Thanks to Patti Petersen for filling in for our president Phyllis Browning who was out-of-town. Women joined in singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth." Clare Kennedy read from a spiritual writing with wonderful thoughts like "God holds me above those who try to pull me down...I ask God to direct me down a lighted street...Draw near me and receive my peace." She told the Starfish Story with the thought, "I made a differ-ence for that one." Patti chose a prayer from response magazine. Elaine Gilbert reported on books and showed a book called "Crazy" that is a fast read. Elaine said, "We have great 'stuff' about things in the world with 5 categories, all marked. Report what you read as our Unit gets recognized when we read." She adds, "The important part is what you get out of it." There was a social break, donations and payments on pledges. Jan Hayden decorated the table, brought a pretty bundt cake and ice cream. Thanks Jan. The March meeting was discussed and a letter read from Red Bird Missions that expects to serve 9,000 persons this year. The women voted to make a special cash donation to aid

their work.

The Health Kits were discussed, 72 kits were to be assembled in a joint effort with the church, UMW, and teens. This happened later and a women's group provided a lunch of soup, salad, fruit, muffins, cookies and beverages. Thanks to these women volunteers. The Health Kit

project continues.

Our program was by Joan Hackett who has held a variety of UMW offices and worked extensively in churches where her husband Keith was Pastor and at their Counseling Center.. She had handouts, passed around pictures of her many years in UMW. She had a Skit that dealt with "Through Global Ministries." The skit went into important detail of the founding of UMW and how important it is in developing and maintaining

missions.

She explained how donations to UMW are used and quoted percentage figures. She said, "All missionaries in UMW get salaries." She had a

discussion of six questions. Thanks to Joan for her presence and program.

You readers who know much about me know I can tell pony or dog stories, I can create "Lucille's Special Moments" and write. I just can't quit taking notes and trying to remember good thoughts. On April 24, 2016, our Pastor Joyce Emery's sermon was "The Whole Creation." I'd al-ready written in my Sunday Bulletin by the Choir Anthem "top of the line, large singing group, they did "Soon and Very Soon by Andre Crouch." Pastor Joyce asked, "What are some of the most beautiful things that God has created you've seen? Later she asked, "How does our life affect the world?" If you were at the 8:30 a.m. service you heard an offertory duet by Andrew Shrader and JoyceEmery who sang "His Eye is on the Sparrow." I labeled it "Beautiful." You also by invitation saw 15 year old Kat McAllister perform a Native American Dance. I la-

beled it "Dressed beautifully, nicely done."

May you have a wonderful summer, stay safe, be happy and always rejoice in the hope God gives you. The UMW's next meeting is in Sep-

tember. I rejoice that SCUMC is a busy, active church.

Kindly, Lucille Harwood

The Salmon Creek United Methodist Church members and friends, as a whole, love to sing. We love to raise our voices, our instruments,

our handbells, in praise to God. Music quiets our soul, it makes our soul rejoice, and it draws us closer to one another and to our Lord.

There are a number of ways that individuals join their gifts with others here to make a “joyful noise.” You will read about three of those

groups in this issue of the Circuit Rider.

Our children also begin each Sunday morning in the Pioneer Chapel worshipping our God, through singing, reflections and prayer. Our

Dayschool children can be heard singing in their classrooms through out the day. Every Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. the Dayschool chil-

dren join Pastor Joyce Emery in the sanctuary for singing, prayer and a Bible story. The children have beautiful voices. Summer Vacation

Bible School is always a time to learn new songs and dance to old ones. Music provides a way to hide God’s word in our heart, to be ac-

cessed at any time. On Wednesday afternoon Kids Club begins with free play and then the children gather together in singing. Older chil-

dren help lead the younger children in song. We have members of our congregation who participate in the music teams for Emmaus. Our

Youth have been seen playing in orchestras, bands, marching bands and recitals, even at the college level! SCUMY has been out a Christ-

mas time blessing members and friends with Christmas Carols.

Some of us dream about a Music School at Salmon Creek where children and youth can take lessons on their chosen instrument. Gina Dar-

nell did an excellent job during her tenure offering private lessons and taking each one to the next level of ability. We dream about a chil-

dren’s choir and a youth band. We dream about children in poverty finding new levels of self-esteem and accountability as they join a choir

with others. There is even a dream floating about a community trombone choir. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Our Staff Parish Relation’s Committee is diligently seeking to find the person or people God is calling to join us in continuing to make our

dreams a reality. Currently we are truly grateful to Mike and Valerie McCormic, our guest Choir Director and Accompanist who have been

leading us to so many wonderful musical moments. Our Praise Team is working hard to lead us in worship every Sunday morning at 10:00

a.m. Linda Garrison has been our Handbell Director this season. We are so grateful to each leader and each member who contributes.

And to this congregation that can be heard singing with great gusto each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Charles Wesley

would be proud! May the Lord receive our offerings as a sign of our deep gratitude.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his

presence with singing.”

- Psalm 100: 1, 2

God creates community through the work of the law and the Holy Spirit. We will be exploring the nature of Christian community through June

5. We will focus on koinonia (fellowship/hospitality), diakonia (service), and didache (teaching). We have already focused on kerygma (good

news) and liturgia (prayer and worship) this year in Lent and Eastertide. Our life together is informed by the first body of Christ followers de-

scribed in Acts 2:42-47

“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching (didache) and fellowship (koinonia). Awe came upon everyone, because many

wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell

their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. (diakonia) Day by day, as they spent much time

together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the

goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

We want to think that we choose the communities that we associate with for our benefit. What if it is God who draws us into community and

saves us and makes us whole through our life together in Christ?

A lot of very exciting things have been happening behind the scenes of SCUMY Youth in the last few months as we continue the long, careful process of building a sustainable ministry for the kids of Clark County. With input from students and families, we’ve designed the calendar for the 2016–17 school year, gotten feedback from kids, and seen middle and high school students leading in worship through song, dance, ushering, theater, and much reading of Scripture—all while continuing to run Youth Group and to get ready for our various summer off-site experiences

like camps and the Salt Lake City mission. Much has been happening!

One of the long-term goals that our youth teams have set together is to work to make sure that each youth on the rolls of Salmon Creek Church is being reached out to on a regular basis, whether or not he or she attends Youth Group on Sundays. That’s a culture-shift, to be sure, because it places the emphasis on relationships with kids, rather than attendance—on our ability as the people called Salmon Creek Church to get really good at sharing God’s unconditional love with His kids regardless of whether they ever set foot on the parcel of land where we worship. More than a ministry, SCUMY thus becomes a movement, a passion for helping teens to know

that they’re loved just as, and where, they are.

Shifting the focus to relationships changes the nature of the conversation, too. Sure, we’ll continue to offer good youth events in-house, and work to make them better and better all the time—don’t worry. That’s an important form of hospitality, because it allows us to tell the 12-, 14-, or 17-year-old we meet in the community that we have a place for them to be welcome when they

come to spend time with Salmon Creek Church at its physical building.

But in a larger sense, it also changes the focus somewhat outward—taking the essential question of, “How can we invite kids to come to Salmon Creek Church?” and adding a second, equally important question: “How can we as Salmon Creek also go to where the kids are and love them unconditionally there?” Showing hospitality on-site and practicing the art of invitation are, of course, crucial—and our Lord modeled this by inviting us to experience his kingdom. But he couldn’t do this without first becoming human, like us: he “emptied himself” and took on human form (Philippians 2:7). To model that part of Jesus’ character, much of our ministry to kids will probably need to involve the boldness to step into their world and affirm them right where they are,

like Jesus did with us by coming to our world himself.

Fortunately, making time to go be with students in their everyday world isn’t all that hard—and there’s so much to learn from them when we do. Just in my short time at Salmon Creek so far, I’ve gotten to learn things about dance, mud-based obstacle-course running, how to score or block a soccer goal, how to appreciate Tchaikovsky’s music, what a viola or stand-up bass sounds like in an orchestra, what R.O.T.C. drill looks like, how great a middle school basket-ball game can be, how to appreciate E.B. White through theater, and even (only verbally!) some-thing about how to land a Cessna at Cascade Locks, Oregon. Imagine what you could learn about the world, just by watching or listening to the teenagers who live in it every day, and who, as it happens, often just want someone to listen to them and get to know what they think and how they

feel about things.

Mark DeVries, one of the country’s youth ministry gurus and author of Sustainable Youth Ministry, is quick to point out that building a thriving, sustainable youth ministry takes years of careful effort, and that the going is usually slow—and that that’s not a bad thing. For us, making a culture-shift from programs toward relationships—while continuing to offer programs!—will take

time, patience, energy, mistakes, and the boldness to try new ways of doing things.

That’s all good, and the Lord is directing us one step at a time as we move into a future where every single kid in Clark County knows that they’re made in God’s image, that they’re loved unconditionally, that the Lord of Heaven and Earth cared about them enough to die and rise again for them—and that they’re commissioned to “joyfully serve the world with the love of Jesus.” It’s a

tall order, to be sure—but we’ll do it together. Are you ready?

“Go therefore . . .”

—Matthew 28:19 NRSV

How “Youth Service” (formerly “Youth For Hire”) Works

If you’re new to Salmon Creek Church, you may have heard that one of our practices has been connecting young people with individ-uals who need help with around-the-house tasks and odd jobs as a form of service opportunity. This practice has also been a source of dona-

tions for the youth mission trip fund, and a way to help folks who have needs to get help.

Springtime is a season when the youth ministry tends to get a lot of requests for help from within the Salmon Creek family, so in order to help to connect folks with the help they’re looking for, here’s the process that the Youth Ministry Renovation Team—our youth board—has

developed for finding help.

Individuals who are looking for help should contact me (John Harrell) at john.harrell@salmoncreekchurch.org, or on my cell phone at (360) 975-0615. I’ll need to know the nature and scope of the work, along with roughly how many “person-hours” it would re-quire. (Eventually there will be a coordinator for service opportunities; in the meantime, contact me.)

Next, SCUMY Youth will inform youth and families of the need for help and send out a call for any students who are available to as-

sist. Once a connection is made, then the host and the students can work to make arrangements on when and where the service oppor-

tunity would take place. Each service connection will need to be approved by the parents/guardians of the youth involved, and each service opportunity will need to adhere to our Safe Sanctuaries Guidelines—such as, for example, that adults cannot be alone, one-on-one, with a student. (A copy of the SSG’s is available on request.)

After a week or two, if the need is still outstanding, then we would shift to trying to find adults within the congregation to assist as they

are available. All donations that come via this program will be pooled into the Youth Mission Trip fund to support summer missions programs for our

students. I want to thank you for your patience as we work this system to try to help folks to get their needs met. Unfortunately, we typically get

more requests than our students have the bandwidth to supply. (For most of our youth, spare time can be hard to come by, thanks to the demands on their time in this stage of life.) Sometimes the help we’re able to find may come from people over 18—but we’ll still make a good-faith effort to find an able-bodied person to help.

Please feel free to direct any questions on Youth Service (the new name for what was formerly known as “Youth For Hire”) to me, John Harrell, at john.harrell@salmoncreekchurch.org.

continuing to help those who are in need

June 12 - Our District Superintendent David Nieda will be preaching. He will focus on the events of General Conference and we will say hello

in the Children’s Moment to Samuel (I Samuel 1). Samuel will help us understand one of our three Vision Themes: Investing in the Kingdom

Future.

June 19 – Pastor Joyce Emery will help us think about being Faithful Parents (I Samuel 21-28, 2:18-21)

June 26 – Guest Preacher John Franklin will bring the word. Our children will learn about how you stand strong for God in the midst of people

who are bad influences. (I Samuel 2:11-17, 22-36).

John Franklin is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Fuller Theological Seminary. He spent 32 years on the staff of Young Life, his last

four serving as the senior vice president for the Western Division. He is now in his fourth year as a Program Director at the Murdock Trust,

where he works mostly with faith-based and youth organizations presenting grant proposals to the Trust. His wife, Staci, is a preschool teach-

er and they have three young (and married) adult sons. The Franklin’s are members at Sunset Presbyterian Church in Portland, where John is

an elder and occasionally preaches. Staci is a leader in the church’s middle school ministry.

Please provide a warm welcome to John Franklin. Pastor Joyce Emery and Melissa Ralston, Lay Delegate will be attending Annual Confer-

ence in Puyallup, Washington.

Favorite Hymns and Spiritual Songs

A thank you to each person who submitted a favorite hymn or spiritual song to be sung this summer. You will note these songs with a (R) in

the bulletin denoting this requested music.

VBS Registration opens– June 1

Rummage Sale– June 11-12 (Donations accepted now)

Ohio Northern University Singers– June 2, 7PM in the Sanctuary

Youth Mission Trip- August 6-14

Fall Rally Day– August 28

Women’s Retreat– October 14-16

In religious settings, music helps

set the tone, and welcome those

unfamiliar with traditional

prayers or liturgy.

In any given church service, in most congregations world-wide, there are at least two common factors. Prayer and Music, both mechanisms for

praising. Music brings people together, and stretches across social, economic, and even language barriers. I remember, as a choir member in

school, we often learned songs and tunes from different cultures. I specifically remember learning a German Christmas carol for our annual

tree lighting.

In religious settings, music helps set the tone, and welcome those unfamiliar with traditional prayers or liturgy. More often than we realize, a

tune will strike as familiar, when other parts of worship are new, or unfamiliar. Here at Salmon Creek Church, there is a wonderful music pro-

gram stretching from traditional chancel choir to a modern praise team. Each group here at SCUMC helps contribute to worship and encour-

ages praise in their own styles.

Chancel Choir

Sandie Hollister has been a member of the SCUMC choir since it began in 1978. She says, “The choir is like a family. We so care about each

other and have been so supportive to our "family." There has been many directors and accompanists over the years….We come from all dif-

ferent backgrounds and various skill levels. Some are trained musicians, and other learn to read music here in choir. What brings us together

is our desire to make music for the Lord.”

While the choir here at SCUMC has not been around as long as the church itself, many of the choir members bring their own experience, from

past choirs to the mix.

Muriel Burriff, choir member, gives us a little insight into her choir experience:

“I have been singing in church choir 68 years now starting in the Methodist

Church choir in North Manchester, Indiana when I was 16 years old. My debut in

singing was with my sister when I was 5 years old. We sang, "Jesus Wants Me

for a Sunbeam. John and I have sung in choirs in Nazarene churches and in The

Church of God (Anderson Indiana). This included the Church of God in Grand

Cayman, British West Indies when John taught in their missionary school there. I

also had the pleasure of singing a solo in that church--"I walked Today Where

Jesus Walked". That particular Sunday one of Queen Elizabeth's knights spoke

to the congregation and after the service he kissed my hand! Wow!”

The chancel choir provides the music for our 8:30 service, and welcomes those

with a desire to become part of the choir family. Practice is held on Thursday

evenings, beginning at 7 p.m. We are in a period of transition, and looking for a

new music director. It is an exciting time of change, and new beginnings for our

choir.

The choir room has recently undergone some new changes. A number of individ-

uals have come through and helped clean it up and keep it organized. Your ef-

forts have not gone unnoticed. A special thanks to Clare and Larry Kennedy who

came in and reorganized over 600 files of music. We now have cleaned up filing

cabinets as well as a wonderfully organized folder with records of each piece of

music. The folder is organized not only by voicing, but occasion, composer with a

special section for copy count. We are so very grateful for their efforts. It was a

big job, and done beautifully.

By Hannah Sherrick

Bells

Bell choir at Salmon Creek Church has a much shorter history than chancel choir, but no less rich. The members of our Bell choir admit that

while it is a challenge, it is fun and enriches their lives.

Phyllis Browning has been a member of this bell choir, as well as one at a previous church. She speaks to the sense of community when she

says, “The longer you play with any group of people, the easier it gets, and the better you get as a group.” Phyllis has been a member of the

SCUMC bell choir for the past 5 years, and for 10 years at a previous church. Phyllis was extremely pleased when she began attending

SCUMC and found there to be a handbell choir. She says, “I enjoy the challenges, making music, and learning to listen to the other musicians.”

Those familiar with reading music will understand words like Allegro, or Larghissimo, but with handbells, these instructions are expanded to

include symbols illustrating how to strike the note. Sometimes it’s a hit on the foam table, known as a Mart, and other times the musician is

instructed to flick the bell, and then twirl it around, in the air. Each one of these techniques produces a different sound to be enjoyed by the

audience.

Linda Garrison gives a little history of her experience with handbells, “I have attended Salmon Creek Church for about 12 years, and have so

enjoyed participating in the handbell and sanctuary choirs. I joined the handbell choir because it’s a wonderful way in which to praise the Lord

and really have a lot of fun, too!”

Linda began directing the handbells after Pat Pritchard retired. “We all very much felt the loss when Pat retired, so I volunteered this year to

direct in order to keep the choir going.”

While it is not certain who will direct next year, members of handbells have an open door policy and welcome anyone with an interest to try

bells, and join in on this fun, musical ministry. Phyllis and Linda both hope that one day there will be more than one handbell choir, and even

dream of having a youth and young adult handbell choir.

Praise Team

The Praise team is currently made up of 10 individuals who come together and bring their talents and love of praise to the 10:00 worship ser-

vice at Salmon Creek Church. They meet on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. to discuss their performances, and rehearse for the following Sun-

day.

Because our Music Ministry has taken on new changes, and is in the midst of looking for a director, Praise Team has pulled together and start-

ed a rotating leadership system. Rather than appointing one person to lead, they’ve all taken a piece of the role, and rotate through choosing

music, directing practice, and leading on Sunday Mornings.

Each member of PT comes from their own background in music. David Koeltzow, singer and guitarist, talks about membership, and how he felt

lead to be a part of PT, “The cool thing about this group is that if you look at our lives, none of us *should* be here playing in Praise

Team….For years before I joined this group, I refused to sing in public. I came from a musical background, and I’ve played classical guitar for

years, but it wasn’t until I devoted my life to Christ that I realized that my gift of singing should be used for praise.”

From my talks with the members of PT, it seems that many have similar stories to David. Kathy Valrejean is new to playing the piano, in these

settings, but has found her ability to step up and fill the need for this group. While she is enjoying playing a new part, she also says, “We are

looking for a pianist, and female vocalist. We are always looking for new people to come and join our group.”

We are happy to have such wonderful musical ability, and if you feel led to begin a musical journey, please feel free to reach out to the church

office, or any of those mentioned above, and we’ll find a place for you!