The Christian Courier The Christian Courier The Christian Courier The C Vol. 65, No. 5 Bellingham First Christian Church May 2015CourierThe

Disciples House Needs:It has been over a year since we have requested supplies for Disciples House. Please consider donating item(s) on the following list of consumables. We try to restock Disciples House each time we get new guests with as many of these items as we have available. Bring your gifts to the church office. toilet paper paper towels boxed tissues bar soap dishwasher soap laundry soap liquid kitchen soap shampoo toothbrushes toothpaste aluminum foil plastic wrap all purpose household cleaner SOS pads sponges scrubbers Comet sandwich bags garbage bags inexpensive bed pillows (new) dvds (new or used) pens and note tablets dryer sheets

There Shall be Showers of BlessingsBe a blessing to others as you help bring necessary supplies for the residents of Disciples House and the children who use our church nursery.

Nursery/Childrens Area Needs:We are having a baby boom. And that means its time to clean up our nursery, the toddler room, the playground, and the childrens area in the sanctuary. Many of our toys are broken. Others no longer meet safety requirements. Some have been disposed of for that reason. Some toys are missing parts, so much so that its difficult to figure out what goes with what.Its time to turn our childrens spaces into warm, inviting, happy, secure places that children feel safe and comfortable entering and parents feel good about leaving their children.Iglesia de Dios has offered to do some painting for us. They have also offered to bring in some new toys. We will be working with them to schedule a clean-up day and compile a list of much needed items.Needed at this time: volunteers to clean and paint changing stations for restrooms ($177

each; to be placed in the mens and womens restrooms on the east side of the building

changing station liners ($36 each) changing table for the nursery or a

changing station, which will be placed in the restrooms

cash for much needed toys and furniture for early childhood development

495 East Bakerview Road Bellingham, WA 98226

360.734.6820 office@bellinghamdisciples.org www.bellinghamdisciples.org

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

Amelia Nye Accompanist

Michele Fode Finance Administrator

Rev. Sandy Messick Regional Minister

Rev. Sharon Watkins General Minister and President

Sunday Schedule 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:50 a.m. Gathering Time 11 a.m. Worship 12:15 a.m. Fellowship Time 12:30 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday) 2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal (2nd Sunday) Note: Summer Schedule Begins May 31

Office Hours 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

News from the Pews

2 May 2015

Thank You Very Much! We had a wonderful Lenten season and Easter celebration, thanks to the efforts of many people. Jane Kletka arranged the Lenten Breakfasts and Easter mornings continental breakfast, along with helpers Kathy Wheeler and Darleen Page. Makena Schmidling made the Easter Bunny proud, as she organized the egg hunt for

her umpteenth year as head egg stuffer and egg hunt organizer.

First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)

Calling all Church Worker Bees! 2015 is bringing many wonderful things to First Christian Church of Bellingham. Along with repairing the roof, well be embarking on some other necessary repairs and embarking on some great adventures. Some of this will be downright fun. Some will be darned hard work. Some will be both. Please prayerfully consider the following list, mark those items in which you would like to participate, and turn this form in to the church office.

____ Care for the church facility

____ Paint the exterior of the church

____ Paint the interior of the church (rooms TBD)

____ Plant vines along backstop near garage

____ Plan/organize creation of labyrinth in field near backstop

____ Plan/organize revamping of nursery

____ Plan/organize revamping of sanctuary

____ Remove/rearrange pews for wheelchair accessibility

____ Plan/organize special events

____ Whale watching trip

____ Mariners Game, date TBD

____ Longest Day (Summer Solstice) Worship, Sun., 6/21

____ Back to School Sunday, September 13

____ All Church Retreat, dates TBD

____ Longest Night Worship, Tuesday, December 22

____ Living Nativity, Thursday, December 24

_______________________________________________ Name

Thank you for your energies, ideas, love, and care for Gods house and Gods people.

Please cut around dotted lines and turn into church office.

Nurses Notes Joys and Concerns

Joys and Concerns of Our Congregation

Please submit written requests to update this list. New to Our List:

Jessica Romine, kidney surgery Betty and Marlin Erickson, on the death of Bettys sister Helen Walter Bayless, as he recovers from surgery Amare Preau, son of Amie, grandson of Robert & Kim Naidu, health concerns Mary Lee Wiser, health concerns Mary Ann Teeters, as she recovers from surgery Elane Mooneys family and friends as they grieve her passing on April 11 For a more complete list of our joys and concerns, please see the Sunday bulletin or contact the church office.

May 2015 3

Clergy Pins Presented On Sunday, M a r c h 2 9 , John Riseland, on behalf of t h e e l d e r s , presented the o r d a i n e d clergy of First C h r i s t i a n Church with t h e n e w C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h

(Disciples of Christ) pin. Recipients were Gary Shoemaker, pastor of the church, as well as Tamalyn Kralman, director of education and community outreach, Lillian Moir, retired missionary, and Don Hoffman, retired minister. Retired minister David Fairchild, pictured above, was presented with his pin at an earlier date by Brenda Riseland (also pictured) and Linda Heyne.

Exercise: Lifestyle Over the Lifespan Most people understand that exercise is necessary for good health. Most agree it is good for the young but once we age past 50 or 60 we may not be so sure: "I'm too old to do that!"

Actually the older we become the more exercise is necessary. Up to

75% of older Americans are not active enough to achieve the benefits of physical exercise. Some common barriers to exercise in older adults include attitude, discomfort, poor balance, fear of injury, habit, fixed income, cognitive decline, illness or fatigue. Physicians are important in motivating older adults and advising them how to overcome or minimize the perceived barriers to exercise; they also help set goals and address concerns.

As in the young regular exercise has been shown to provide many benefits. Some of the benefits include: cardiovascular; improved blood pressure; improved cardiac output; decreased risk of coronary artery disease; improvement of congestive heart failure symptoms and hospitalization; improved lipid (fats) profile. Diabetes mellitus decreased incidence; better blood sugar control; decreased A1c levels; improvement of insulin sensitivity. Osteoporosis (bone loss decreased bone density loss in post menopausal women; decreased hip and vertebral fractures. Osteoarthritis (improved function). Immune function (increased ability to fight off infections and sickness). Gastrointestinal (decreased constipation; better digestive health).

Our local health center provides cardiovascular wellness and rehabilitation services (www.peacehealth.org/stjoseph/heart; 360.788.6719). Cardiac rehabilitation helps with the transition between illness and health. Participants can improve their quality of life and receive other benefits such as a safe, monitored exercise environment, encouragement and support, centralized location for information by trained professionals. The Cardiovascular Center is located in the East Tower of St. Joseph Medical Center.

Promoting physical activity is important at any age including older adults. Your heath care provider can assess your physical needs and through various means including physical therapy can create a program designed around your needs; an exercise program that is safe, doable and one that brings about the greatest compliance. The ideal exercise program for the elderly consists of three components: aerobic, strength training, balance and flexibility.

Many groups (some local) have information about physical activity and exercises for older adults. In addition to our local cardiovascular center the National Institute on Aging Information provides email alerts about new publications and other information (www.nie.nih.gov; 1-800-222-2225).

Keep on moving!

Reflection: We have been created by God in our inmost being... we praise God because we are wonderfully made (Psalm 139). May we work throughout the lifespan to provide our own good health and for the good of others as well.

Jane Kletka,RN FCN Health Ministries

Whos on First?!

May 20154

Sunday, May 3 Elders: John Riseland (O), Margaret Brown (C) Lock-Up: Don Hoffman In Home Communion: Joe Plancich John Riseland Deacons: Jane Kletka, Lynn Plancich, Alexis Pinkston Reader: Bruce Radtke Greeters: Brenda and John Riseland Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: Book Group

Sunday, May 10 Elders: Brenda Riseland (O), Melody Hoffman (C) Deacons: Marian Overcash, Linda Heyne, Max Perry Reader: James Becker Greeter: Megan Shoemaker Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD

Sunday, May 17 Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), Don Hoffman (C) Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Pat Whitney, Connie Page Reader: Charles Schmidling Greeters: Kathy Wheeler & Alisha Sanches Flowers: TBD Fellowship Time: TBD

Sunday, May 24 Elders: Joe Plancich (O), Lillian Moir (C) Deacons: Ardythe Hannah, Kathy Wheeler, Jayne Witman Reader: Gregg Heyne Greeter: Lois Oswalt Flowers: Esther Group Fellowship Time: Esther Group

Sunday, May 31 Elders: Margaret Brown (O), Leslie Pinkston (C) Deacons: Ardythe Hannah, Kathy Wheeler, Jayne Witman Reader: Nancy Langford Greeters: Bekki & Russ Weston Flowers & Fellowship Time: TBD

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

Happy Birthday Bobbie Kiep 3 Courtney Grimstad 5 Bill Ruther 5 Darleen Page 6 Cameron Klemann 10 Melissa Henderson 14 Jayne Witman 16 Bob Gilda 18 Frances Forhan 18 Max Perry 19 Brett Kralman-Shoemaker 20 Pastor Gary Shoemaker 20 Thelma Hicks 21

Betty Schmidling 26 Cameron Hulbert 26 Kellie Franks 28 Tarran Klemann 31

Happy Anniversary Bill & Janet Franks 5 Mark & Christie Wheeler 14 Russ & Bekki Weston 25

Find Weekly Lectionary Readings

May

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 weekly 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.

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. A sense of humor is strongly encouraged.

Be the Hands of God (nurture the world)

For more info on how to assist in any of these projects, please contact us at office@bellinghamdisciples.org.

Community Meal

Josephs Closet

Disciples House

CAST

Socks on the Street

Spring Creek Worship

Care Packages

Bolenge Hospital

Wells in Africa

Calendar

May 2015 5

May 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 27:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

39:30a Sunday School 10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:30p Fellowship Time1:30p Spring Creek Worship

4 5

Noon Bible Study6:30p Wild Goose Worship

6

BulletinDeadline

6p Bell Choir7p Chancel Choir

7 8 9

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys10a Board Meeting

10Mothers Day

9:30 a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:30p Fellowship Time2p Someone Cares! Community Meal & Josephs Closet

11

6:30 p.m.Stewardship Committee

12

Noon Bible Study

13Bulletin Deadline

6 p Bell Choir 7 p Chancel Choir

14 15

Courier Deadline

16

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

177:30a Elders Mtg9:30 a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:30p Fellowship Time1:30p Spring Creek Worship

18

11:30aEsther Group

19Noon Bible Study

6:30p Wild Goose Worship

20BulletinDeadline

6 p Bell Choir 7 p Chancel Choir

21

6:30 p Bellingham Brew Theology,Hops N Headz

22 23

7:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

24Pentecost

9:30 a Sunday School10:50a Gathering Time11a Worship12:30p Fellowship Time Out-to-Lunch Bunch (Location TBD)7p Book Group

25 26

Noon Bible Study

27

Bulletin Deadline

6 p Bell Choir 7 p Chancel Choir

28

5 p.m. Checking In Group

29 307:30a Mens Breakfast, Dennys

6:30p Open Mic Night

31No Sunday School10:20a Gathering Time10:50a Worship12:30p Fellowship Time

Summer Worship ScheduleSunday, May 31 - Sunday, September 6

Sunday School on hiatus

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

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Save the Dates

Sun., June 21 Longest Day Worship, 6 p.m.

Sun., Sept. 13 Back to (Sunday) School Day Blessing of the Backpacks & Bible presentations

Sept. 19-20 All Church Retreat

Summer Sche

dule

Begins

Sunday, May

31