he

Vol. 68, No. 4

T
Courier
Bellingham First Christian Church
An Open and Affirming Congregation April 2018

WildGoose
Wild Goose Worship
Worship
Presents
Presents
“Finding Jesus in the 21st Century”
“Finding Jesus in the 21st Century”
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
6-7p Potluck Supper
Tuesday, 7-8pApril
Worship3, 2018
6-7p Potluck Supper
What to Bring
• 7-8p
A happy, willing, and adventurous Worship
spirit. We never know where Spirit will lead!
• A main dish and salad or dessert to share.
• Whatever instrument you play or would like to play — participants will accompany
What to Bring
the singing for our worship. We’ll try traditional worship songs, contemporary, folk,
bluegrass, & gospel. If it sounds fun and will touch our spirits, we'll give it a go!
• A happy, willing, and adventurous spirit. We
never know where Spirit will lead!
What is Wild Goose?
How to Find Us
First Christian Church
A worship experience for the whole
Easter Sunday 2018 A main
• family dish
that blends and salad
contemporary and or dessert495toEast
traditional while allowing the Spirit to
share.
(Disciples of Christ)
Bakerview Road

April 1 Whatever Wildbread

free in our midst. instrument Goose youWorship
Bellingham, WA 98226
play or would360.734.6820like to
• fly We break
together, make music together, and

8:30a Early Worship, Zuanich Park play

build — participantsPresents
community. will accompany office@bellinghamdisciples.org
the singing
facebook.com/wildgooseworship

9:30 Continental Breakfast, Church “Finding

for our worship. Jesus We’llintrythe 21st Century”
traditional worship
10:30a Easter Egg Hunt songs, contemporary, folk, bluegrass,
Tuesday, April 3, 2018 & gospel.
11a Easter Worship If it sounds fun and will touch our spirits, we'll
6-7p Potluck Supper
7-8p Worship
give it a go!
Please sign up in the fellowship hall to bring What to Bring
• A happy, willing, and adventurous spirit. We never know where Spirit will lead!
flowers for Easter Worship What is Wild Goose?
• A main dish and salad or dessert to share.
A worship experience
• Whatever instrument for like
you play or would the whole
to play family
— participants that
will accompany
the singing for our worship. We’ll try traditional worship songs, contemporary, folk,
blends contemporary
bluegrass, and
& gospel. If it sounds fun traditional
and will touch our spirits,while
we'll give itallowing
a go!

the Spirit to fly free in our midst. We break bread

How to Find Us
together, make music
What is Wild Goose?
A worship experience for the whole
together, and build
First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
community.
family that blends contemporary and
traditional while allowing the Spirit to
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
fly free in our midst. We break bread
360.734.6820
together, make music together, and
office@bellinghamdisciples.org
build community.
facebook.com/wildgooseworship
Shoe’s News

First Christian Church Reflections on the Journey

(Disciples of Christ)
Sandy Messick, Regional Minister
I read an article recently by Susan Nienaber from the
Congregational Consulting Group titled “A Recipe for Vitality.”
495 East Bakerview Road http://www.congregationalconsulting.org/a-recipe-for-vitality/
Bellingham, WA 98226
360.734.6820 In it she talked about the Graham United Methodist Church in rural
office@bellinghamdisciples.org Minnesota. She writes, “GPS won’t exactly get you there, but when
www.bellinghamdisciples.org you arrive you won’t want to leave, for this is a vital congregation.”
Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Graham UMC has a ¼ time minister in a rural community. This is
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) not exactly your typical recipe for success and yet this church is
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented thriving, particularly in its ministry to and with children and young
world. As part of the one body of Christ, we families. How are they doing this? The author identified a few key
welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God
concepts:
welcomed us.
All of Us • They have a heart for children. When they finished the year
Ministers with a financial surplus, they dedicated the money to
Rev. Gary Shoemaker sending children to camp and funding the youth group.
Pastor • They empower younger/newer members to lead and longer
gary@bellinghamdisciples.org
time members serve as mentors and encouragers rather
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman
than gatekeepers
Director of Education & Community Outreach
Courier Editor • There is openness to change.
tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org
• The church is strongly lay-led. This seems obvious
Amelia Nye considering a ¼ time pastor, and yet many congregations
Accompanist
when moving to part-time ministerial leadership struggle to
Katie Ramstead
re-evaluate the expectations of what the pastor will be
Childcare Provider
responsible for and what will be led and directed by the lay
Rev. Sandy Messick
Regional Minister
people.
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens • The church is reaching out beyond itself. It is planning its
General Minister and President first adult mission trip to allow all people opportunities to
Sunday Schedule (Labor Day - Memorial Day) learn and serve
10:50 a.m. Gathering Time • Hospitality is a genuine value and strength and is lived out
9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School
both within and beyond the congregation
11 a.m. Worship
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Time • The church deals well with conflict. This is key. Many
1 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday) churches can imagine and even try new ways of being but
2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal
back off when conflict inevitably arises. A congregation that
(2nd Sunday)
Office Hours can deal well with, even embrace conflict is one that can
Tuesday - Friday move through the stormy times into the fruitful ministry
9 a.m. - noon that waits beyond.
Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the
week. Please feel free to stop by during their office
This article reminded me of a church I served in rural Pennsylvania
hours or make an appointment that fits your schedule. when John was just a baby. It was a Sunday only church meaning I
pretty much only pastored on Sundays and special occasions. Yet
Officers
Gregg Heyne, Moderator the church had a thriving ministry, particularly to children. And if
Renee Hoemann, Vice Moderator for some reason I wasn’t able to make it on a particular Sunday or
Cheryl Perry, Treasurer to a particular meeting, I knew that ministry would continue. The
Melissa Henderson, Secretary church indeed was not the pastor, or even pastor dependent. How
Important Links: does that song go? We are the church together.
Regional Website (including monthly
Walking this journey with you,
newsletter): disciplesnw.org
General Church Website: disciples.org Sandy

2 April 2018
News Around the Church
New Officers, Elders, & Deacons
We have filled a number of positions since the
Congregational meeting. Thank you to the
following people who have volunteered to fill the
following roles:
Church Officers
Gregg Heyne, Church Moderator
Melissa Henderson, Board Secretary
Elders
Jane Kletka, Chair
Linda Heyne
Steve Hutchens
Deacons
Melissa Henderson
Promise Village Update
The Opportunity Council is continuing to move
forward with their plans to develop rental housing
for low-income families on property donated by
FCC. You may recall that FCC entered into a
Conveyance Option Agreement for donation of
1.6 acres for the project in March, 2017. The
Opportunity Council was recently informed that
the City of Bellingham will provide some of the
needed funding for the project.
Opportunity Council representatives met with
members of the Board, the Pastor and the
Director of Education and Community Outreach in
October, 2017. At that time, it was discussed that
developing a larger project was more financially
feasible. The project was originally slated to be
located on 1.6 acres. The Opportunity Council’s
amended proposal would require 2.9 acres. This
was an informational meeting and no decisions
were made at that time.
The Board discussed this issue at its February
meeting. It was decided that the Executive
Committee and Trustees would gather
information on the current market value of our
property. This will allow the Board to enter into
negotiations with the Opportunity Council
regarding the additional land. Negotiations could
include leasing the additional land to the
Opportunity Council, selling the land to them,
etc. Opportunity Council representatives have
indicated they are willing to meet with us to
discuss our ideas and the needs of the
congregation.
Please stay tuned for more information regarding
this project. If you have questions, concerns or
ideas, please feel free to contact the Pastor,
Director of Education and Community Outreach,
any member of the Board or a Trustee.
April 2018
Joys and Concerns
Please submit written requests to update list.
Medical concerns:
• Bea & Ralph Gilfilen
• Ellen Fisher, Bob’s sister-in-law
• Helen Blaney
• Kelly Franks
• Marian Crim
• Daisy Shoemaker, Pastor Gary’s mom
• Steve Shoemaker, Pastor Gary’s brother
• Chloe Gibson
• Gary Schwebel, Diana Findlay’s son
• Pat Spiller, Kris Ann’s stepdad-in-law
Life’s challenges:
• Jon-Paul, Sue Ann Cross’s family
• Katie, Bob Fisher’s daughter
• Kris Ann Lewis’s family: brother Phil, sister-in-law Cary,
nephew Matt, niece Hannah, Brenchly family
Beyond Our Walls:
• For the healing of our nation
• Refugees worldwide
• Iglesia de Dios, as together we share God’s love
• Raices Culturales/Community to Community
families in their gardening program in our field
• Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana
• Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister and
President
• Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and
President
• Our General Church ministries
• Yakama Christian Mission
• Victims of hatred, injustice, violence, poverty, disease,
and disaster worldwide
• All troops involved in world conflict
• Peacemakers worldwide
Laura Char invites you to walk with her at the upcoming
MS Walk, Saturday, April 7. Click here or contact the
office, 360/734.6820 or office@bellinghamdisciples.org,
for more info.
3
Who’s on First?!
Sunday, April 1
Elder: Brenda Riseland
In Home Communion: Linda Heyne
Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Bentley Becker
Reader: Darleen Page
Children’s Moment: Megan Shoemaker
Children’s Church: Linda Heyne
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, April 8
Elder: Linda Heyne
Deacons: James Becker, Linda Heyne
Reader: Kris Ann Lewis
Children’s Moment: Tamalyn Kralman
Children’s Church: Linda Botts
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD, honoring April birthdays
Sunday, April 15
Elder: Steve Hutchens
Deacons: Renee Hoemann, Celia Obrecht
Reader: Melissa Henderson
Children’s Moment: Linda Heyne
Children’s Church: Katie Ramstead
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, April 22
Elder: Leslie Pinkston
Deacons: Melissa Henderson, Kris Ann Lewis
Reader: Fran Frazee
Children’s Moment: Megan Shoemaker
Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman
Flowers & Fellowship Time: Esther Group
Sunday, April 29
Elder: Jane Kletka
Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Bentley Becker
Reader: James Becker
Children’s Moment: Tamalyn Kralman
Children’s Church: Linda Heyne
Flowers & Fellowship Time: TBD
Sign up in the fellowship hall to help in these
important ministries. Please contact the office for
more info.
4 April 2018
Birthdays & Anniversaries God at Work in Us
Happy Birthday Jordan Devin 23
Pat Whitney 1 Maija Haggith 25
Sarah Wheeler 2 Elise King 28
Mary Ann Teeters 2
Connor Hoemann 4 Happy Anniversary
Frances VanDyke 9 Kelly & Tom Gilson 10
Abigail Hulbert 14
Allison Ronney 17
Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)
• Annual Bazaar Center
• Alternative Market • Family Promise Hosts
• Blessing Bags • Food Bank collections
• CAST • Joseph’s Closet
• Comfort Quilt Ministry • Clean Water Projects
• Community Gardens • Jesus Has Left the
• Community Meal Building
• Disciples House/ • Socks on the Street
Family Promise Day
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 - An
informal gathering that visits locally owned restaurants.
• Book Group, 7 p.m., 4th Sundays - This group
explores books to expand their minds and hearts.
• Esther Group, 11:30 a.m., 3rd Mondays - A women's
group that meets for lunch in local restaurants. (No host.)
• Bible Study, Noon, Tuesdays - Meeting in the church
library, this group explores the lectionary scriptures.
• Pub Theology, 6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursdays - Beer,
conversation, and God! (Or any beverage of your choice.)
Jeckyl & Hyde Deli & Ale House 709 Orchard Pl #1.
• Checking in Group, 5 p.m., 4th Thursdays -supportive
group 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 for
fun and fellowship. (No host.)

The Church as a Village Family Resources

The Empty Tomb — A Family Activity Kids’ Coloring Page

Scripture Reference: Mark 16:1–8

The Dividing Line

Kids explore the difference between happy and sad as they learn
that Easter is a happy day!

Supplies:
• Masking tape

Set Up:
Tape a long line of masking tape down the center of your
gathering space room. Use additional pieces of masking tape to
create a smiling face on one side of the line and a frown face on
the other.

Instructions:
In the Bible story today, the women visiting the tomb
were confused when they found it empty. An angel
stopped them and told them that Jesus was alive. What
joy! The women went from very sad to very, very happy!
Let's play a game that's all about the words "happy" and
"sad." Click here for a full size coloring page.

Have kids line up on the center line. As you read each situation,
invite kids to move to the side of the tape that expresses how
they feel.
• You fall and hurt your knee
• Your parent comes and kisses your knee to make it feel better
• The weather isn't nice, so you have to play inside
• You play hide-and-seek with your friends
• You cry
• You feel scared about "monsters" under the bed
• You go "monster hunting" and find that there are no monsters
under your bed
• Your friend makes a funny joke
• Jesus died
• Jesus rose again. He is alive!
Happy, sad, happy, sad. . .. Easter is a happy day!
If you have less time. . .
Only read a few situations. Be sure to include the Easter-themed
ones!
Tips from Tam
Bunnies and eggs or Jesus and an empty
tomb? Do we need to choose fun or faith? Or
can we have our cake and eat it, too?
Here at FCC, choose fun AND faith. So, bring
on the Bunny and the egg hunt. But, then let’s
dig in and find the real meaning of Easter.
Because God’s love is too big to be ignored.
To help your kids understand a bit more about
Holy Week - from Palm Sunday to Easter
morning and then on to the ascension, check
out this video from the folks who created The
Beginner’s Bible: “The Story of Easter.” (It
does have commercials, but they’re brief.)
For your littlest ones, The Beginner’s Bible is
always a good choice.
Featuring longer stories, The Spark Bible, is
better for older children. The people at Spark-
house Press also offer individual story books,
such as The Story of Easter.

If you have more time. . ..
Invite kids to take turns making up their own happy and sad
situations.
Adapted from sundayschool.sparkhouseonline.org
However you choose to celebrate this holy
season, do make it significant in your home
and for your kids. They’re learning from you!
May God’s Spirit of Wisdom be with you,
Tamalyn

April 2018 5
6
April 2018
First Christian Church, Christian Holidays Apr 2018 (Pacific Time)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Easter Sunday Easter Monday 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 7pm - [4H] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Denny's
9 : 3 0 a m - Adult Sun. School 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 6 p m - Wild Goose Worship 6 p m - Bell Choir 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]

1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 7 p m - Choir Rehearsal @

Choir Room
1 1 a m - Worship

1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship time
April 2018 calendar

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

9 : 3 0 a m - Adult Sun. School 6 : 3 0 p m - Stewardship Mtg 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Denny's
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 6 p m - Bell Choir 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]

1 1 a m - Worship 7 p m - Choir Rehearsal @

Choir Room
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship time

2 p m - Community Meal

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Courier deadline 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Esther Grp 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 6 : 3 0 p m - Pub Theology, 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Lunch location TBD Denny's
9 : 3 0 a m - Adult Sun. School 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 6 p m - Bell Choir 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]

1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time 6 : 4 5 p m - [Guide Dogs]

1 1 a m - Worship 7 p m - Choir Rehearsal @

Choir Room
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship time

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

9 : 3 0 a m - Adult Sun. School 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 5 p m - Checking in Group, 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
location TBD Denny's
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 5 p m - Board Meeting 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]

1 1 a m - Worship 6 p m - Bell Choir

1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship time 7 p m - Choir Rehearsal @

Choir Room
1 p m - Out-to-Lunch Bunch

7 p m - Book Group

29 30 1 2 3 4 5

9 : 3 0 a m - Adult Sun. School 6 : 4 5 p m - [Boy Scouts] 1 1 a m - Bible Study Bulletin deadline 7pm - [4H] 6 : 3 0 p m - [Iglesia de Dios] 7 : 3 0 a m - Men's Brkfst,
Denny's
1 0 : 5 0 a m - Gathering Time 6 p m - Wild Goose Worship 6 p m - Bell Choir 9 a m - [Iglesia de Dios]

1 1 a m - Worship 6 : 3 0 p m - [Toppers] 7 p m - Choir Rehearsal @

Choir Room
1 2 : 1 5 p m - Fellowship time

April 2018