Full Circle - Online   

Rev. Savage Frieze

Dear Sisters and Brothers, It doesn't seem possible but I am in my third week at FCCB already! Jane, Sharry, and Kathryn have been very kind and helpful by allowing me to hit the ground at a trot. Now it's beginning to feeling like feet and brain are running at different speeds. The community has welcomed Anne, Sara, and I with open arms, and we are very appreciative. It has been a wonderful surprise to reconnect with friends from the past. There are many more connections then I knew! What a wonderful time its been to explore those connections! Even one apparently going back to college days! I am really excited by the possibility of a Taize style vespers service. While I've never visited the Taize community, I am very fond of the vespers service that I've come to know. My experience is that it is a service of chant ("a cappella" or accompanied), silence, prayer, communion, and best of all, no sermon. Services will be the second and Thursdays at 6:30 PM. I need volunteers to be cantor (song leader) and to serve communion. Changing to the second and fourth Wednesday is a possibility if a majority of people interested can't attend on Thursdays. So far, Thursdays seem to work for most people. I am revising the list of people who would like a visit. If you, or someone you know would like a visit from a parish visitor or pastor please let me know. Attention parish men!: Would you like to join other men for a time of fellowship? I am thinking that a men's breakfast would be fun. Let me know what you think and if you have any program ideas. Who knows where this wild and crazy idea could go? I'll put a sign up sheet in the narthex after worship. But feel free to call or e-mail. Thank you again for your extravagant welcome! Grace and Peace, Pastor Savage

Pastoral Staff Office Hours::

Pastor Jane will be reliably in the church office on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Pastor Savage will be in the office Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. You can reach them during their office hours at 734-3720 or by email. Jane's email is jane@fccb.net and Savage's is savage@fccb.net.

Celebrations
 

WHAT WONDERFUL GENEROSITY: Friends and members of the church contributed $5,312.50 toward the named and undesignated Endowment Funds as part of the 125th birthday celebration for the church. Thank you for your gifts that keep on giving!

On July 21, over 260 people gathered to laugh, clap, stomp, cheer, sing, eat and otherwise celebrate the church's 125th birthday. Congratulatory letters from the mayor, the county executive, the governor and the general minister of the UCC were shared. The Mt. Vernon chapter of the Sweet Adelines, Two Leggs And Other Parts (our locally grown bluegrass band) and our own Male Chorus provided entertainment, as did Mark Schlichting and his fabulous fiddle. Barbara Green shared some of her memories from being a 50-year member. Etta Kirk emceed and kept us all on track. Michael and Leslie Guelker-Cone and their fabulous team turned out a grand meal. The Trustees and Pilgrim Circle served and cleaned up afterwards. Great thanks go to all who helped make this one wonderful party!

 

Concerns

We ask you to keep Jenny Sisson Browne, Steve Cronkhite, Bart Sproule, Bart Clendenen, Shirley Zilinek, Craig Vaughn, Esther Asplund, Marie Kegley, and Lara Wepprecht in your prayers.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Sarah Flowers and her family as they mourn the death of her mother;
to the family of Helen Devries, as they mourn her passing; to the Manley family, as they mourn the passing of Winton; to Pete Rittmueller and his family as they mourn the passing of his mother.

 

Check in on Lara Wepprecht at larasonestepatatime.blogspot.com

Thank You
 

A big "thank you!" to the eMinistry Team (Rob Olason, Matt Ringstad, Vince Brown and new recruit Savage Frieze) for their work in bringing wireless internet access to more parts of the church, and a huge thank you to Rob for updating our website look.
Updates…
Rev. Jennifer Russell, who served a year here while Cindy Bauleke was pursuing her doctorate, has had a liver transplant! The surgery was on July 20, and according to the latest entry on the website, she was scheduled to go home from the hospital on July 27. Jennifer and husband Rick, who is the pastor of Eastgate UCC, thank everyone for prayers and care, and ask your continued prayers as she heals.
(To keep up with Jennifer, you can follow her progress at a link through the Eastgate UCC website, http://www.mindspring.com/~eastgateucc/ The family welcomes cards, which can be sent to: Jennifer Russell, in c/o Eastgate UCC, 15318 SE Newport Way, Bellevue WA 98006.)

Errata: Reverend Vincent Crane died in 1982, not 1980 as reported in the "Historical Notes" included in the bulletin on Sunday, July 13th. Vince died following his retirement in 1980 after 16 years of effective leadership as a well loved Senior Pastor. If you would like an updated copy of the "Historical Notes" please contact the office.

 

TOM HUNTER PORTRAIT ON LOAN
At the June 28 memorial service for Tom Hunter, the Hunter family - represented by John Alley, Gwen's brother - presented our church with the loan of Tom's portrait. It hangs in the hallway near the Social Hall. It was created by someone in John's community of Hood River, Oregon who did not know Tom particularly well but was moved by the stories she heard of what Tom taught and how he lived. Thank you to the Hunter family for loaning us this wonderful image.
 

THANK YOU FROM INTERFAITH COALITION
Dear Members First Congregational Church:
Thank you for your generous gift of $2,100.00 from the special offering for Interfaith Coalition. We appreciate your help in improving the lives of our neighbors in need. Shelter, health, and human connection are essential to all people, yet for a variety of reasons, many people in our community lack these.
With you as a partner in our work, Interfaith Coalition addresses human needs through our homeless housing program, through support of Interfaith Community Health Center and health-access efforts in the community, and through our Friendly Visitors program, which matches compassionate volunteers with lonely and isolated seniors.
We know that your desire, and ours too, is for all our neighbors to have the essentials for living lives that have meaning beyond basic survival. We recently talked with a homeless mom who told us that while living in Interfaith Family Housing she and her five-year old daughter "have not had to worry about where we're sleeping at night." Our housing program, which includes case-management services, "put me on the right track to getting my life back," she said.
Thank you for your compassion for our neighbors in need, your faith in their potential once their basic needs are met, and your trust in Interfaith Coalition to put your donation to work in the way you intended.
In God's love,
Laura DeRose, Executive Director
 

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Church Council Highlights

UPDATE ON SEARCH AND CALL PROCESS

The Church Council has directed the members-at-large, moderator, vice moderator and chair of personnel to develop a search and call process. This group has met with Michael Denton, Conference Minister and shared the initial report on July 28th. A final report will be presented on August 25th. Initial thoughts are to a) create one seamless, coordinated process to call both the lead pastor and pastor, b) include the congregation in determining the traits we desire in a search and call committee, and c) establish a clear set of responsibilities and communication system between the congregation, Church Council and the Search and Call Committee. Michael Denton has said that the search and call process is one of his favorite responsibilities and that he will provide information, training and support on a regular basis for our committee.


 

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THANKS TO ALL who volunteered, participated and helped to make Vacation Church School 2008 "Connecting to God" such a wonderful success. It was an amazing week full of surprises!
VOLUNTEERS are needed to assist Jennifer Huffman in the Nursery/Toddler room on Sunday mornings during the summer. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the babies and toddlers in our congregation. Please sign up for a Sunday outside Room 33.
CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED: The Board of Christian Education is currently planning the 2008 -09 church school year. Opportunities are available to teach and share your gifts with the children and youth of our congregation as a church school teacher : in Pre School, Second/Third or the Fourth /Fifth grade class. The board invites you to explore the ways you are called to be involved in the exciting year to come. For more information contact Sharry Nyberg 734-3720.
 

2008 MISSION TRIP
NATIONAL YOUTH EVENT JULY 24 -28: Fourteen of our high school youth and three adult chaperones went to Knoxville, Tennessee to attend the National Youth Event. In the coming weeks, we look forward to hearing about what the travelers will share of their experiences and learnings.
Welcome Home To:

Participating youth:
Jane Clark Susan Harris Jane Nicholson
Nathan Crane Miranda Hyldahl Paul Olason
Mitchell Eifrig David Kaltenbach Rebecca Olason
Taylor Garrod Phillip Kaltenbach Dylan Tyne
Katya Gayda Emily Marsh

Chaperones:Sharry Nyberg,  Boone Davidson, Joan Marsh.

The youth and chaperones would like to thank the congregation for your generous support and prayers as they prepared for the trip and while they were away.

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WORSHIP IN THE PARK
We are joining with the United Church of Ferndale and Lummi Island UCC for Worship in the Park in Ferndale on August 10. Worship will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a potluck lunch to follow at 11:30 a.m. Hot dogs will be available for a $1 donation; please bring place settings (your own plate and utensils); something to sit on (such as folding chairs or a blanket) and a potluck dish to share. Rain or shine, we'll celebrate "Pioneering Spirits" and enjoy this outdoor expression of worship!
The service and potluck will be at Pioneer Park in Ferndale. Directions will be included in the next Full Circle. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. If you need a ride or can provide a ride please call the Church Office at 734-3720. If you have other questions, please contact the United Church of Ferndale office at 384-3302.
(We will not hold a worship service here at the church on the 10th.)
 

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR OUR CHURCH'S WIDER MISSION
This congregation provides support to the conference and the denomination through Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) Basic Support and Special Support programs. Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support provides funding for the work of UCC Conferences and for the work of the UCC's national ministries. Some of the National Basic Support money is used for ministries to Conferences, local churches and members, as well as for ecumenical, prophetic and missionary ministries on behalf of the UCC.

In January, the congregation voted to provide $20,935.00 to OCWM Basic Support. This is below past support and the congregation directed the Church Council to review the 2008 budget to determine if other funds would be available later in the year. The Church Council has accepted the Budget Committee's mid-year recommendation to immediately reallocate $10,000 to OCWM Basic Support from the pastoral staff section. The transfer is done with the understanding that pastors will continue to be paid fair salaries at conference guidelines. The Budget Committee and Church Council will continue to review the budget at the end of the third quarter and the end of the year to determine further reallocations. The Mission, Justice and Social Concern Board is also reviewing ways to support OCWM.

Our Church's Wider Mission Special Support comprises gifts to the Special Mission Offerings in the United Church of Christ, per capita dues, and gifts that are specially designated for the Conference, national setting or UCC-related institutions. This congregation participates in the OCWM Special Support through the $1,889.00 for conference dues, the $12,000 for the Pastors Insurance Fund and approximately $18,000 for the three offerings listed below.

One Great Hour of Sharing: Giving Help, Hope and Life
Supports partners in more than 70 countries with ministries that fund development projects, feed the victims of famine, provide services for displaced people, and respond to natural disasters. These ministries are the responsibility of Wider Church Ministries, Global Sharing of Resources. Received annually on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

Neighbors in Need: Justice and Compassion Like a Mighty Stream
Supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, including ministry carried out by the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM) and by the national offices of Justice and Witness Ministries. Received annually on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of October.

The Christmas Fund: Remembering Those Who Serve Our Church
Provides financial aid to retired and active ministers and their surviving spouses and children who face overwhelming financial demands, a ministry carried out by the Pension Boards. Received annually on the Sunday before Christmas.
 

DEBRA PEHRSON SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Each year, thanks to a generous gift left in trust to our church family by Arvilla Pehrson, we are able to award a $2,500 outright grant to an individual pursuing education in one of the health professions. This year's applicants for the scholarship were impressive. With the approval of the Board of Trustees, two awards are being made. They go to Jennifer Sandoval who will be a Junior at Seattle University in the fall and began taking her nursing classes last spring. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. The other recipient of a Debra Pehrson scholarship is Melanie Hartley R.N., B.S.N. Melanie works as a Public Health nurse in Whatcom County and has been accepted to the University of Washington where she will be pursuing a Master of Nursing degree as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Pediatrics. The awards will be made during our Sunday worship service later this summer at a time when both women can be present to be honored and sent off with our prayers and warmest wishes for success.
 

SUMMER MUSIC: Do you or anyone you know have a talent you would be willing to share at one of our summer services? Please call Kay Marsh at 527-1323 or the office at 734-3720 and we'll put you on the schedule.
 

FOOD BANK DONATIONS: We collect a donation for the Food Bank the 1st Sunday every month. The last Sunday of every month bags will be available for you to fill and bring back the next Sunday. Our next First Sunday will be August 3-mark your calendars.

REMINDER: The new striping on Cornwall Ave. means that there are no parking spaces along our side of Cornwall. Please do not park there….we don't want anyone to get a ticket!

PRAYER VIGIL: A prayer vigil for peace in the Middle East will be held Monday, August 18 beginning at 5:30 PM at Assumption Catholic Church (2116 Cornwall).

VACATION TIMES: Sharry, our CE Coordinator, will be on vacation August 11 - 22. Pastor Jane will be on vacation July 30 - August 6 and August 18 - 24. Denise Hoffman, our church accountant, will be on vacation August 18 and 19.

 

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
 

SUMMER LABYRINTH WALK: Facilitated labyrinth walks are held on the first Thursday of each month. The next walk will be August 7 with the theme "Dog Days of Summer". The labyrinth is also available and waiting for you to walk in the Chapel during the week when the church office is open. For more information contact Sharry Nyberg 734-3720

CALLING ALL FLUTE PLAYERS - DUST OFF THOSE FINGERS: Please join with other flute players to share flute choir music in worship on August 17th. If you are an active performer, play in your middle or high school band or haven't played since high school, come and enjoy this musical fellowship. All ages and experience welcome! Call or email Sharon Camblin to get the music and dates for the two, short summer rehearsals. 715-0933 or camblins@comcast.net.
 

SHALOM CIRCLE: Do you yearn for comfort and companionship in these difficult days? Shalom Circle is a Circle of Prayer that meets each Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the Fireplace Room. Come for an hour of reflection, meditation and prayer. Joys and fears, laughter and tears are shared confidentially and lovingly. You are welcome!
 

SPARK THE POWER OF PRAYER! The Prayer Chain in our church invites you to share your prayer requests with people who will pray intentionally for you. Currently, there are four prayer chains ready to receive prayers. If you would like to initiate the prayer chain, call Linda Rawls at 734-5060 (home) or 733-1140 (work) or email realtorrawls@home.com.

 

FROM THE FCC LIBRARY BOOKSHELFNew acquisitions and recent sermon recordings are featured on the book cart in the library and are available for check-out.
 

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry. Katrina Kenison. Warner, 2000.
This heartfelt collection of essays will strike a chord with any mother whose response to the "arrhythmic" pace of modern life is a yearning to "shut the door, stop the noise, and tune in to our own inner lives." Drawing on hard-won insights from her own struggle to achieve balance (she gave up a successful career in book publishing to work from home and raise her two young sons) and to infuse her family's days with meaning, Kenison's richly anecdotal musings on such diverse topics as "peace; "simplicity," "play," "Sabbath" and "discipline" resonate with honesty and wisdom. Though this is not a religious book in the traditional sense, Kenison's contemplations are suffused with a spirituality that thrives on connecting with others and with nature and finding the sacred in the everyday. Rendering an intimate portrait of family life with grace and a lively sense of humor, Kenison, who for the past 10 years has edited The Best American Short Stories, is most impassioned and enlightening when she shares "moments in which we were bathed in grace, moments when we were astonished by the simple joy of our togetherness." Readers will be left feeling refreshed and encouraged by the generosity of spirit that prompted these thoughtful reflections. (Book review by: Charlotte Abbott, Sarah F Gold, and Mark Rotella in Publishers Weekly, Apr 3, 2000, Vol. 247, Iss. 14, pg. 74.)


NEW AUDIO RECORDINGS IN THE CHURCH LIBRARY
Our church's e.Ministry team has produced two new audio cds that are now available in the church library. Five Sermons by Reverend Jane Sorenson is a compilation of sermons that Pastor Jane has given during May and June services. Music Sunday 2008 is a condensed version of our recent Music Sunday service featuring the Chancel Choir and the Male Chorus. e.Ministry has also produced a special audio cd titled Two Sermons that contains the sermons Reverend Tom Hunter delivered this year. The cd is available for check out from our church library. Those sermons and many others are also available on our church website.