he

The
Vol. 69,Christian
No. 11
T
Courier
Courier The Christian
Bellingham Courier
First Christian The Christian
Church Courier
November 2019

Be a Superhero for Kids!

It doesn’t take much to delight a child — a silly joke and a shared giggle,
baking cookies, building with blocks, crashing Matchbox cars, playing
make believe. You know the drill. Just being together makes their world
better. They need to know they are significant in our lives. Contrary to the
Kreative
Kid age old wisdom that “children should be seen and not heard,” we need to
Keeper
listen to them quite carefully, paying attention to their needs, feelings,
wisdom, and even their silliness.
It is in these moments together that we are able to learn, or perhaps
relearn, the simple joys of life and what it is to wonder.
Here at First Christian Church, our Children’s Worship Department (aka
Nurture Ministry) is hard at work to bring Godly Play to our children.
What is Godly Play? “Children have an innate sense of the presence of
God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through
story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience
though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed
using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late
childhood and beyond.”* [*From https://www.godlyplayfoundation.org/; visit this site to learn more.]
Thanks to the hard work and generosity of Max Perry, we have a good set of people and animals to
get us started in our storytelling. (Some of which are pictured below.)
What does this mean to you?
• Sponsor a Bible story: More supplies are needed. Many more. The costs of the Bible stories range in
price from $60 to $400. (That Noah! He has a lot of critters and bits in his story.)
• Sponsor part of a story: Every little bit helps.
• Be a teacher: You will learn how to tell the Bible stories in a new way, inviting the children to
participate in ways that spark their interest and their creative (and analytical) thinking.
• Be a greeter: You will welcome
the children into their worship
space, helping prepare them for ‘
this sacred time of learning and
being with God.
Please talk with Linda Heyne,
Kathy Wheeler, or Tamalyn
Kralman, or contact the office to
help in one or more of these
ways. Our children will thank you!
 Shoe’s News

First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) Shoe’s News
“Evangelism”

495 East Bakerview Road We tend to shy away from the word evangelism. I don’t
Bellingham, WA 98226
360.734.6820 blame you, it’s gotten a bad rap over the years. It reminds
office@bellinghamdisciples.org us of the Jehovah Witnesses who come around at
www.bellinghamdisciples.org inopportune moments and want to talk for an hour. But it
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
doesn’t have to be that way.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) I like to think of it in a different way. I call it Life
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. Evangelism. Live your life as a statement of your
As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all
to the Lord’s Table as God welcomed us.
convictions. And if the opportunity ever presents itself, be
willing to share about why you live the way you do. Also, if
All of Us
Ministers
there is ever a moment when someone you know seems
Rev. Gary Shoemaker, Pastor
to be looking for what we have at our church, take the time
gary@bellinghamdisciples.org to let them know about us, and invite them to join you
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman, Associate Pastor sometime.
- Ed. & Community Outreach -
Courier Editor No pressure, no awkwardness.
tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org
Amelia Nye, Accompanist When studies are done to determine what brings people to
Kimberly Tadlock, Childcare Provider church, they usually find that the one-on-one contact with
Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister people who are already involved in the church is the
Rev. Terri Horde Owens
number one reason. If it seems appropriate, invite a friend
General Minister and President to join you on Sunday.
Sunday Schedule
9:15a Older Youth-Adult Sunday School In the meantime, be thinking about ways that we can
10:50a Gathering Time enhance the welcome and programs we offer those
11a Worship beyond our doors.
12:15 Fellowship Time
1p Out-to-Lunch Bunch
(4th Sunday) Pastor Gary
2p Someone Cares! Community Meal
(2nd Sunday)
Office Hours
Tuesday - 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 Sunday, November 3
Gregg Heyne, Moderator
Leslie Pinkston, Vice-Moderator
Betty Schmidling, Secretary
Cheryl Perry, Treasurer
Important Links:
Regional Website (including monthly
newsletter): disciplesnw.org
General Church Website: disciples.org

2 [Change your clocks before bedtime, Saturday, November 2] November 2019

Nurse’s Notes Stewardship Schedule

Suicide: A Mounting Health Concern

Nurse’s Notes
from Your Faith The following information is troubling as it is about a subject that we often
Community 
 wish not to acknowledge or discuss: suicide. Because suicide is such a
predominant
Tuesday riskWednesday
to health and life it is important toFriday
Thursday be informed. One hopes
Saturday
Nurse that the information does not apply to themselves or their loved ones, but
unfortunately, it may someday. This writer has experienced this horror first
hand when her brother took his own life as a young man.
It is hoped this information, which will come in a series of articles, will be
helpful toward a better understanding of suicide and to make for greater awareness of who is at risk.
In the US and throughout the world, suicide is a major public health concern. Based on statistics from 2015 it is the
tenth leading cause of death overall, with 44,000 deaths. Suicide is not limited to just a few vulnerable groups. There
are no gender, age, socioeconomic or ethnic group barriers: anyone is susceptible. Among children (ages 10 – 14)
suicide is the third leading cause of death, while among older teenagers and young adults (age 15 – 34) suicide is the
second leading cause of death. Older adults (34 – 80s) are also at risk due to life changes such as declining health,
income, loneliness, etc. Sadly, in 2015 more suicides occurred (44,193) in the US than homicides (17,793). Washington
State leads the national average of suicides at a rate of 11%. Three Washingtonians die by suicide every day.
Suicide ideation is influenced by biological, psychological, social, environmental, and situational concerns. Risk factors
include childhood trauma, substance abuse, poverty, and untreated mental health problems. Men have a higher rate of
completed suicide, women are 2-3 times more likely to attempt suicide. Methods vary between men and women.
Here are some defining terms regarding suicide:
• Suicide: death as caused by intentional self-directed injurious behavior.
• Suicide Attempt: Non-fatal, self directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die.
• Suicidal Ideation: thoughts, consideration, or planning suicide.
Key Points about Suicide:
• Suicide is a preventable public health problem; it is not a personal weakness or family failure.
• Everyone has a role in suicide prevention, not just health care professionals.
• Many people avoid discussing suicide; silence and stigma harm vulnerable individuals.
• Prevention of suicide involves changing factors that contribute to suicide risk: childhood trauma, isolation, access
to lethal means, lack of access to behavioral healthcare, issues of aging.
• People experiencing mental illness deserve dignity, respect, and awareness of a potential risk toward taking their
own lives.
(Resources: WSDOH; CDC)
Meditation: May we as potentially vulnerable human beings ourselves be aware of the vulnerability of the other. May we
act with understanding, compassion and loving-kindness to all. May our actions never result in causing harm to another.
So may it be. In the name of the Sacred Presence of God. Amen
Jane E. Kletka, RN FCN


Timeline of Stewardship Emphasis and Preparation of 2020 Budget

Testimony from members, “What does ‘Service of Love” mean to me and how is First Christian Church living it out in its
ministry?”
November 3 — Kathy Wheeler November 10 — Kelvin Smith November 17 — Leslie Pinkston
Stewardship letters and estimate of giving cards will be sent out with tentative expense budget during the week of
November 17.
November 24 — Thanksgiving Sunday, Sermon on Stewardship: “This Service of Love,” Rev. Dick Talley preaching.
December 1 — Commitment Sunday. Estimate of Giving cards will be turned in during worship. Lunch provided after
worship.
December 15 — Present budget to board for consideration
December 29 — Congregational meeting to consider 2020 Budget

3 [Change your clocks before bedtime, Saturday, November 2] November 2019

Justice Was Served!

34 Blessing Bags were assembled

On Sunday, September 29, First Christian Church members and friends

demonstrated their concern for both hunger issues and people unjustly
imprisoned on Sunday, 29 September 19. Letters were signed about hunger
and malnutrition as follows: 18 to Sen. Cantwell; 17 to Sen. Murray; 4 to
Rep. Del Bene and 4 to Rep. Larsen. These letters became part of the
offerings of the day. In addition, 14 signed a petition about a Saudi Arabian
imprisoned journalist; 14 signed a petition about a woman unlawfully
detained in Eritrea; and 12 signed a petition about a woman imprisoned and
beaten in Iran. These petitions seek justice as our response in faith. Thank
you to Bruce Radtke, who gathers all the intel, prints and organizes all the
letters, and sends them to all the appropriate organizations and politicians at
home and abroad. And Bruce extends his thank you to all who signed!
Other members of the Home Team worked in the sanctuary, dusting every
horizontal surface in sight, and a few vertical surfaces. We were thankful to
Jane Kletka, who had already done a lot of the cleaning. We were not thankful to the spiders, who had been quite
busy in the meantime.
While all this was happening, our Away Team was also busy, flexing their muscles on behalf of the Page family. Connie
had our team carrying boxes from her attic to her main level, as fall has arrived and she needed access to those
warmer clothes. Darleen and Chuck needed a major furniture rearrangement, as life changes have made new demands
on them.
A good time was had by all, even if a bit of ibuprofen was needed at the end of the day. Thank you to all who brought
items for the Blessing Bags, all who gave of their time and energy, and all who prayed for our workers. This is always a
team effort.
And mark your calendars, our next Justice Sunday will take place March 29, 2020. In the meantime, be on the lookout
for places we can be of service.

“Give what you have.

To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

4 [Change your clocks before bedtime, Saturday, November 2] November 2019

Sunday Ministry Teams Birthdays & Anniversaries Financial Summary

Sunday, November 3 Sunday, November 17

Elder: Jane Kletka Elder: Bob Fisher
Elder of the Month: Linda Heyne Deacons: Kris Ann Lewis, Celia Obrecht
Deacons: James Becker, Bentley Becker Reader: James Becker
Reader: Kris Ann Lewis Children's Moment: Tamalyn Kralman
Children's Moment: Linda Heyne Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman
Children’s Church: Linda Heyne Flowers: TBD
Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD, honoring November
birthdays
Sunday, November 24
Sunday, November 10 Elder: Kathy Wheeler
Elder: Linda Heyne Deacons: Linda Botts, Melissa Henderson
Deacons: Renee Hoemann, Zoe Ila Becker Reader: Fran Frazee
Reader: Melissa Henderson Children's Moment: Linda Heyne
Children's Moment: Megan Shoemaker Children’s Church: Tamalyn Kralman
Children’s Church: Linda Botts Flowers & Fellowship Time: Esther Group
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time:TBD

Sign up in the fellowship hall to help in these important ministries.

Care for Your Soul

Mākena Schmidling- • Sunday School, 9:15 Sunday
Geleynse 14 • Out-to-Lunch Bunch, 1p, 4th
Sarah Hulbert 15 • Book Group, 7p, 4th Sundays
Happy Birthday
Ahline Botts 16 • Esther Group, 11:30a, 3rd Mondays
Bethany Hoemann 1
Jack Schmidling 17 • Bible Study, 11a, Tuesdays
Bridget Naidu 1
Ann Hall 21 • Pub Theology, 6p, 3rd Wednesday
Linda Botts 2
Bea Gilfilen 28 • Checking in Group, 5p, 4th Wed.
Pat McGovern 2
Jimmie Talley 11 • Bell Choir, 6p, Thursdays
Happy Anniversary • Chancel Choir, 7p, Thursdays
Abigail Henderson 12
Bill & Debbie Ruther 12 • Men's Breakfast, 7:30a, Sat., Denny's

Care for God’s World

• Alternative Christmas Faire
Finan¢ial Update •
•
Blessing Bags
CAST
• Clean Water Projects
General Fund • Comfort Quilt Ministry
Balance 1/19/19 $0 • Community Gardens
Income 1/1/ - 9/30/19 $101,206.65 • Community Meal
• Family Promise Hosts
Expenses 1/1 - 9/30/19 $111,925.02
• Family Promise Day Center
Balance 8/31/19 -10,718.37
• Food Bank collections
• Joseph’s Closet
Saving From Deemer Road +$13,888.06 • Justice Sunday
$3,169.69 • Socks on the Street

5 [Change your clocks before bedtime, Saturday, November 2] November 2019

6
November 2019
Table 1
Sunday
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2
7:30a Men’s Break-
fast, Denny’s



Change your clocks
before bedtime!
Monday

3 Daylight Saving 
 4 5
 6 7 8 9
Ends
 11a Bible Study Bulletin deadline
 7:30a Men’s Break-
9:15a Sun. School
 11a Meditation
fast, Denny’s
10:50a Gathering

11a Worship
6:15p Bell Choir 

Tuesday

12:15p Fellowship Time 7:15p Choir Rehearsal

10 11 12
 13 14 15
 16
9:15a Sun. School
 11a Bible Study Bulletin deadline
 Courier deadline 7:30a Men’s Break-
10:50a Gathering
11a Meditation
fast, Denny’s
11a Worship

12:15p Fellowship Time
 6:15p Bell Choir 


2p Community Meal 7:15p Choir Rehearsal

17 18
 19
 20 21 22 23
9:15a Sun. School
 11:30a Esther Group 11a Bible Study Bulletin deadline
 6p Pub Theology, 7:30a Men’s Break-
10:50a Gathering
meets for lunch 11a Meditation
Jeckyl & Hyde’s fast, Denny’s
Wednesday Thursday

11a Worship

12:15p Fellowship Time
 6:15p Bell Choir 


5p Board Meeting 7:15p Choir Rehearsal

[Change your clocks before bedtime, Saturday, November 2]

24 9:15a Sun. School
 25 26
 27 28 Happy 
 29 30
Friday

10:50a Gathering
11a Bible Study Bulletin deadline
 Thanksgiving 7:30a Men’s Break-
11a Worship
11a Meditation
fast, Denny’s
12:15p Fellowship Time

12:30p Lunch Bunch
6:15p Bell Choir 

7p Book Group 7:15p Choir Rehearsal
Saturday

November 2019
November Calendar