OCTOBER 2016 SOUND WAVES

Transcription

1 RICHMOND BEACH CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST OCTOBER 2016 SOUND WAVES Dear Friends, PAUL S EPISTLE In the past months I have heard people say, "They just don't understand what is going on in American politics." Many people express shock and disbelief about the issues raised by candidates for President. For the first time since 1980, I hear reports of church members confronting family members with the phase, you cannot be thinking that you are going to vote for them!" Of course, progressive churches and conservative churches had a different "them" that you should not even think of voting for this year or forever. People in the UCC are having difficulty even comprehending the dramatic shifts in American society that lead to the candidates we have this year. So this year's Fall Book Study will help us to see the heart of the shifts in American society and hopefully to understand why poverty and unemployment in the Midwest and Appalachia have generated irrational rage and cynicism. Last year, the Fall Book Study explored the painful oppression of African Americans in the modern classic, Between the World and Me by Tai-Nehisi Coates. This fall, I will lead a study on the New York Times bestseller, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. This book explores the root of cause of what is unfolding in American society and its politics. Here is a description of the book: Hillbilly Elegy is a passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisis - that of white working-class Americans. The decline of this group, a demographic of our country that has been slowly disintegrating over 40 years, has been reported on with growing frequency and alarm but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J. D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hung around your neck. The Vance family story begins hopefully in postwar America. J. D.'s grandparents were "dirt poor and in love" and moved north from Kentucky's Appalachia region to Ohio in the hopes of escaping the dreadful poverty around them. They raised a middle-class family, and eventually their grandchild (the author) would graduate from Yale Law School, a conventional marker of their success in achieving generational upward mobility. But as the family saga of Hillbilly Elegy plays out, we learn that this is only the short, superficial version. Vance's grandparents, his aunt, his uncle, his sister, and most of all his mother struggled profoundly with the demands of their new middle-class life and were never able to fully escape the legacy of abuse, alcoholism, poverty, and trauma so characteristic of their part of America. Vance piercingly shows how he himself still carries around the demons of their chaotic family history. (continued on page 2) Page - OCTOBER 2016 RBCC-UCC Church Staff: Rev. Dr. Paul Ashby Pastor Staci Schulmerich, Director of Faith Formation for Children & Youth Amanda Fuentes, Office Manager Katie Skovholt Adult Choir Director Anthony Marris-Swann Accompanist Nick Della Guistina Custodian Carrie Boom Children s Choir Director Steve Goedde Youth Choir Director Rev. Dan Stern UCC Ordained Spiritual Director Marcia McLaughlin UCC Commissioned Spiritual Director seaotterspirit@gmail.com Elliott Jensen Youth Director Assistant Church Phone: Website: Inside this issue: Lectionary 2 October Annual Meeting 3 RBCC Players 3 Sound Techs Needed 3 RBCC Book Club 3 Lunch with Pastor Paul 4 Stewardship Campaign 4 Lady of the Harbor 4 Newsletter Deadline 4 Poverty Sunday 5 Parking Reminder 5 RBCC-UCC Women s Retreat 5 Youth Group T-shirt Sale 5 Initiative Forum 6 Looking for a Chef! 6 Thanksgiving/Christmas Giving 6 Girl Scout Shoe Drive 6 United We Stand 7 Pastor Parish 7

2 Page 2 - OCTOBER 2016 RICHMOND BEACH CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST JOIN US IN WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM (Paul s Epistle continued from page 1) LECTIONARY Oct 2 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Communion/Poverty Sunday Lam 1:1-16; Lam 3:19-26 or Ps 137 or Hab 1:1-14, 2:1-4; Ps 37:1-9; 2 Tim 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10 Free to Grieve Oct 9 Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 29:1,4-7; Ps 66:1-12 or 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15C; Ps111; 2 Tim 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19 Planting Life Oct 16 Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jer 31:27-34; Ps 119: or Gen 32:22-31; Ps 121; 2 Tim 3:14-45; Luke 18:1-8 Ask Boldly, Live Justly A deeply moving memoir with its share of humor and vividly colorful figures, Hillbilly Elegy is the story of how upward mobility really feels. And it is an urgent and troubling meditation on the loss of the American dream for a large segment of this country. The Fall Book Study will meet after church from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm on October 23rd and 30th, November 6th, 13th, and 20th. You can order a new book on Abebooks.com for or a used copy on Amazon or Ebay. If you cannot afford a copy as a low-income employee or are unemployed, please let me know and I will order a copy for you. Central to my view of church ethics is that no one should be excluded from any church program due to lack of income. This is an ethical awareness we are called to plant within a society that constantly excludes the poor and unemployed. Join us for an insight into what is going on in Final note -- the other classic work in this area is entitled, Deer Hunting with Jesus (no that is not a joke). Peace, Shalom, Peace Rev. Dr. Paul Ashby Oct 23 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Joel 2:23-32; Ps 65 or Sirach 35:12-17 or Jer 14:7-10, 19-22; Ps 84:1-7; 2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14 Just Worship Oct 30 Thirtieth-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Hag 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Ps 119: or Isa 1:10-18; Ps 32: 1-7; 2 Thess. 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10 Just Worship

3 Page 3 - OCTOBER 2016 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2016 The annual Congregational meeting will be held on October 2, 2016 where the following proposal will be voted on by the congregation: "We approve the sale of the Troyer house property located at th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA." All proceeds from the sale of the property to be held in reserve until future discussions can be held and voted on by the congregation at a later date. RBCC PLAYERS HOLIDAY CASTING Join us in presenting World War II Radio Christmas by Pat Kruis Tellinghusen, directed by Cyndi Thomsen. Using period songs and stories inspired by actual veterans, WWII Radio Christmas transports the audience to another time. This play is a reminder of the importance of staying connected during the holidays Performance dates are December 2, 3 and 4. There are opportunities for actors, readers, musicians, singer s and sound techs. We will rehearse in October and November, depending on our actors schedules. Since 1984, RBCC Players mission has been outreach and fellowship through the theater arts. This is a great opportunity to join us to have fun with minimal time commitment. SOUND TECHS NEEDED Contact The Church Office We are looking for a few people, each of whom will sit up in the choir loft one Sunday a month and push a few buttons. It is not difficult but does require a little training which we will provide. Actually, it s kind of fun. This is a volunteer opportunity for teens and up to learn how sound systems work and volunteer on average once every month or so. You will have an experienced Sound Tech with you until you feel ready to fly on your own. Hoping to hear from you. NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING SUNDAY OCTOBER 2nd Contact: Outreach Board Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that support ministries of justice and compassion throughout the Unity States. Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to churches and organization doing justice work in their communities. If you are able to donate, we will have envelopes in the pews. Thank you for your support. RBCC BOOK CLUB Date: Saturday, October 29th Time: 9:00 10:30 Location: RBCC-UCC in Room 9 Bring: Your own snack and drinks Book for October: The People of Forever Are Not Afraid by Shani Beianjia ALL ARE WELCOME!

4 Page 4 - OCTOBER 2016 GO AND DO THE SAME STEWARDSHIP Our Stewardship campaign this year will begin earlier than we have sometimes done to assist people in getting decisions made prior to the holiday season. You will first see a letter the week of 9/25/16 which identifies our theme this year. It is Go and Do the Same. We will again have Promise Moment speakers who will provide their individual perspectives on the work of our church and how it has affected them. They will help us address this theme as will Paul s letter. Stewardship Sunday is October 30 th. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the theme and how you can intentionally follow in Christ s way. Your Stewardship Board NEWSLETTER DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER IS OCTOBER 15th. Please send articles to the church office (office@rbccucc.org). The following lyrics were written by our own resident composer and song writer; written after the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers and shared with the congregation last month on the 15th anniversary. Thank you Tammy for sharing this with us. LADY OF THE HARBOR Lift your light toward a brighter tomorrow And Lady, give us courage and strength To end our sorrow LADY OF THE HARBOR Please remind us each man is our brother And Lady, I can still hear the words We vowed to each other Give me your tired, give me your poor The refuse of your teeming shore Statue of light, shine through the night Guide us for evermore Give me your tired, give me your poor The refuse of your teeming shore Statue of light, shine through the night Guide us for evermore. Give me your tired, give me your poor I wait beside the golden door Iron Lady stand, regal and grand Red, white and blue may you soar Let freedom ring from shore to shore God above, guide us with your love once more - Tammy Burdett AN INVITATION TO MEET WITH PASTOR PAUL TO SHARE JOYS AND CONCERNS Pastor Paul keeps an open calendar for lunch on Wednesday and Saturdays at Subway! If you want to chat, share a joy or concern, discuss a problem you are wrestling with or address a theological topic the invitation is open to you. Please call Pastor Paul at (206)

5 Page 5 - OCTOBER 2016 RBCC-UCC WOMEN'S RETREAT February (Mark your calendars) DISCERNING YOU SPIRITUAL STYLE The understanding of spiritual types can help us discover the things that give us purpose and passion for who we are and how we fit into the larger world. Discover your Spiritual Style, and learn new spiritual practices for everyday living. Facilitated by Staci Schulmerich Workshop Design inspired by Helen Neinast's What's Your Spiritual Type? RICHMOND BEACH UCC T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER. The youth group of RBCC has had a huge and positive response to their youth group T-Shirt. Now you can have an RBCC T- Shirt too! Boldly stating: PEACE. RESPECT. LOVE. T-shirts will be on sale in the month of October during coffee hour. Each T-Shirt is $15.00 with sizes Small through 3XL. Proceeds will go to the RBCC Youth Group Campership / Mission Trip Funds. PARKING REMINDER 15th Ave NW East of the church is posted NO PARKING. If you park on the road, you may be ticketed by the Shoreline Police. All those who are able are encouraged to park in the back/west lot. Please reserve the upper/east lot for visitors and those with mobility issues. RBCC-UCC PRAYER CHAIN Contact: Church Office ( ) Sharing our joys and concerns does not just happen on Sunday mornings. Thanks to our Called to Care Board, a PRAYER CHAIN has been created that allows us to request prayers that can continue as long as we need them. If you would like this group of people to pray for you or someone you love (in or outside of our own church) due to health or spiritual / emotional concerns, do not hesitate to contact the church office. We value your participation. RBCC-UCC PRAYER CHAIN Contact: Church Office ( ) Sharing our joys and concerns does not just happen on Sunday mornings. Thanks to our Called to Care Board, a PRAYER CHAIN has been created that allows us to request prayers that can continue as long as we need them. If you would like this group of people to pray for you or someone you love (in or outside of our own church) due to health or spiritual / emotional concerns, do not hesitate to contact the church office. We value your participation. POVERTY SUNDAY Date: Sunday, October 2, 2016 Time: 10:00 am Worship What: Bring non-perishable food and place in the front of the sanctuary before worship Contact: Outreach Board Each month the Outreach Board will pick a local food bank to receive your generous donations!

6 Page 6 - OCTOBER 2016 INITIATIVE FORUM SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23rd The election forum Oct. 23 will cover one of the six statewide initiatives on the Nov. 8 general-election ballot. It s Initiative 732, which would tax carbon emissions and reduce some other taxes. Representatives of the Yes and No sides will make presentations at the event scheduled for Pilgrim Hall at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Ballots and voters pamphlets will arrive a day or two before the event. Peace and Justice Board members encourage people to bring their voters pamphlets to the event. LOOKING FOR A LEAD CHEF AT RONALD COMMONS Contact: Church Office Ronald Commons Café is looking for a lead chef for our Thursday night community dinner. Whether you are looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and serve others, or you want to add to your resume, this is a wonderful volunteer opportunity. The job includes planning the meal, teaching and supervising and working with a team of volunteers to prepare the meal. As an added bonus, you get to work in a brand new commercial kitchen, and you don t have to stay for clean-up. Inspired by the Ronald Commons affordable housing project, Ronald Commons Café will be hosted at Ronald United Methodist Church and is being made possible by a community partnership of the Dale Turner Family YMCA, Ronald United Methodist Church, Richmond Beach Congregational Church and Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church. THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS OUTREACH The Outreach Board will be sponsoring Healthy Start and others for the holidays. There will be envelopes in the pews for monetary gifts beginning October 23. There will also be a giving tree in December where you can select gifts to purchase for those in need. Please give as you can to make the holidays bright for everyone! Thank you for the amazing support that is always provided for our holiday outreach! SHOE DRIVE IRELAND 2017 SUPPORTING GIRL SCOUTS Contact: Church Office Nothing to buy! Nothing to sell! Simply clean out your closets? Do you have unwanted gently-used shoes? Athletic shoes, dress shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers, soccer cleats, work shoes? Ireland 2017 is a group of 17 Girl Scouts (ages 12-18) being led by Kathi Hamilton, who are traveling to Ireland in February The girls are planning their own itinerary, working to meet with Girl Guides, and planning a service project in Ireland. The group is doing this SHOE DRIVE with the goal to collect 10,000 pairs of shoes. They are working with a company called Angel Bins. The shoes will be boxed up and sent to developing countries where Angel Bins works with small family businesses for the resale of these shoes, providing low cost shoes and an opportunity for families to create and sustain their own business. A blue bin will be in the narthex (under the coat rack) from now until mid-december. Please bring your gently-used shoes and put them in the bin. The girls will do the rest! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

7 Page 7 - OCTOBER 2016 Another way we can help Camp United We Stand Members By John Thielke In meeting with the camp and discussing some of the needs, the following items would be welcome donations to the camp as we begin to face the colder and wetter fall and winter months. 1. Men s and woman s deodorant 10. Shaving Cream 2. Medium size men s boxer shorts/briefs 11. Tooth Brushes and tooth paste 3. Men s clothes and shoes 12. Baby Wipes People in the camp 4. Tents and tarps - Need to be in good condition use these in lieu of taking showers because people will be living in the during the winter months tents during the winter use these in lieu of taking showers 5. Sleeping bags - Need to be clean 13. Flashlights LED preferred 6. Blankets - Should be heavy 14. Men s and women s long-johns 7. Air mattresses i.e.: Under Armor 8. Shampoo 15. Men s and women s socks 9. Body Wash Anything you can do to publicize these needs and solicit donations from the community would be welcome. Donations can be dropped off at the camp at any time. There is a security person in attendance 24/7. Thank you for your help. John PASTOR PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE The Pastor Parish Relations Committee shall nurture and enhance the development of a firm bond between the congregation and the minister. (from RBCC-UCC Bylaws) The Pastor Parish Relations Committee shall provide a sounding board for concerns of the Senior Minister and the Congregation. (from RBCC-UCC Bylaws) We encourage anyone with comments, input, or concerns that should come to this committee to contact the church office. If you have any questions about this committee, please feel free to contact the church office or Pastor Paul.

8 Richmond Beach Congregational United Church of Christ 1512 NW 195th Street Shoreline WA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Page 8 - OCTOBER 2016 OCTOBER 2016 Newsletter OCTOBER DATES TO NOTE October 2 October 2 October 2 October 23 October 30 Congregational Meeting Troyer House vote Poverty Sunday Neighbors In Need Offering Initiative Forum Stewardship Sunday FUTURE DATES TO NOTE November 4 6 Northwest Women s Retreat December 2,3,4 RBCC Players WWII Radio Christmas February 9-12 RBCC Women s Retreat Check out our web page for back issues of the Newsletter and sermons.