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Vol.
No. 12
The65,Christian

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Courier
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Bellingham
FirstCourier
Christian Church
December
2015
Courier The
Christian
The Christian Courier
The
C

Advent 2015

hope peace joy love

First Sunday of Advent - Hope

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Love

Sunday, November 29

Sunday, December 20
11 a.m.
Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata
One Silent Night

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace

Sunday, December 6
12:15 p.m.
Alternative Christmas Fair
Spend your holiday dollars in lifesaving 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 - Joy

Sunday, December 13
2 p.m.
Someone Cares! Community Meal and
Josephs Closet

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

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

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

Shoes News

Shoes News

First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

Not Alone
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
360.734.6820
office@bellinghamdisciples.org
www.bellinghamdisciples.org
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

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 Lords 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.
11 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
2 p.m.

Office Hours

Gathering Time
Worship
Fellowship Time
Out-to-Lunch Bunch
(4th Sunday)
Someone Cares! Community Meal
(2nd Sunday)

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

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
December 2015

In Loving Memory

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 Lillians niece, Shannon Parrish,
1545 Oceanaire Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. Global Ministries welcomes gifts in Lillians 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 Lillians name in the Tribute fields at the foot of the online giving form.

December 2015

Nurses Notes

Sweet Surrender

Nurses Notes

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

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
dont have those dinners on a regular basis. I am
thinking that maybe we should partner with your
program instead. What are your thoughts?

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 lifestyle 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

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!

December 2015

News from the Pews

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.

The Share the Spirit Bazaar

Was a Success!
As always, the
annual holiday
bazaar required a
tremendous number
of hours and
muscles to pull
together. Thanks
goes to this years
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 years 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]

Whats Happening in Our Nursery

As you may have noticed, weve been having a bit
of a baby boom here at First Christian. Yes, oodles
of babies. And toddlers. And crawlers. And
wobblers. And theyre 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.

December 2015

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
sons health
Bill Pribilsky, recovering from a broken hip
Mary Lee Wiser, health concerns
Joanne Harrell, health concerns
Donna Fairchild, health concerns
Ardythe Hannahs loved ones Irina, Stevie and Jeremy, for
healing in their lives
Cyndy Koehns friend Terry Buchanan, breast cancer
Disciples House Residents, past, present and future
Iglesia de Dios, as together we share Gods 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

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.

Whos on First?!

December

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
Walter Bayless
Alisha Sanchez
Wei Wei Perry
Terry Udo
Devon Martin
Sandy Grant
Felix Foster
Betty Erickson
Joe Plancich

1
2
7
8
9
12
13
19
21
28

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

14
26
27
30

Find Weekly Lectionary Readings

http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/

Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)

Community Meal
Josephs Closet
Disciples House
CAST

Socks on the Street

Collecting food for the
Food Bank
Care Package

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, 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.

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 2015

December calendar

December 2015
Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday
1

Noon
Bible Study
6:30p Wild
Goose
Worship,
location TBD
6

9:30a Sun. School

10:20a Gathering Time
10:30a Worship
11:45p Fellowship Time
12:15p Alternative
Christmas Fair

13

9:30a Sun. School joint adult class

10:50a Gathering Time
11a
Worship
12:10p Congregational
Meeting
12:15p Fellowship Time
2p
Someone Cares
Community Meal

20

7:30a Elders Mtg

9:30a Sun. School
10:50a Gathering Time
11a
Worship Chancel Choir
Christmas
Cantata
12:15p Fellowship Time

27

9:30a Sun. School

10:50a Gathering Time
11a
Worship
12:15p Fellowship Time
12:30 p Out-to-Lunch
Bunch
7p
Book Group

December 2015

14

Courier
Deadline
Noon
Bible Study
6:30 p Wild
Goose
Worship,
location TBD

11:30 a.m.
Esther Group

22

Winter
Solstice
Noon
Bible Study

29

Noon
Bible Study

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

10

11

16

6p Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal

23

30

Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal

12

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

17

18

Bulletin
deadline

Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal

6:30p
Longest
Night
Worship
28

Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal
15

21

Saturday

Bulletin
deadline

Noon
Bible Study

6:30 p
Stewardship
Meeting

Friday

19

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys
6p Chancel
Choir
rehearsal

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

24

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

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

25

26

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

31

Please pick up
your end-ofyear financial
statements in the
narthex.

First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)
A church of grace and welcome for all!
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226-9168

PERIODICALS POSTAGE AT
Bellingham, WA 98226-9168
USPS 0589-870

The Christian Courier (USPS

0589-870) is published monthly at
First Christian Church, 495 East
Bakerview Road, Bellingham, WA
98226-9168. PERIODICALS
POSTAGE paid at Bellingham, WA
98226-9997

Postmaster: Send address changes

to The Christian Courier, 495 East
Bakerview Road, Bellingham, WA
98226-9186

The challenge of Christmas

is this: justice is what
happens when all receive a
fair share of Gods world and
only such distributive justice
can establish peace on earth.
-John Dominic Crossan
Read the Regional Newsletter
Click here to read the current issue of
Northwest Passages, the
newsletter of the Northwest
Regional Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ).

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.

Fri., Jan. 8

Save the Date

10:30 a.m. - Memorial Service for

Lillian Moir

Courier Submissions are Due Dec. 15

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