The Tidings. April & May Syrian Refugee Action Group ( SRAG ) A newsletter of Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity

Transcription

1 The Tidings April & May 2016 A newsletter of Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity Syrian Refugee Action Group ( SRAG ) Would you save someone s life if you could? by Central member David Copley The Challenge: US policy limits the ability of Americans to directly help Syrian refugees. Some Americans feel powerless to help. The Opportunity: We could partner with a Canadian congregation to sponsor a refugee family and change their lives forever. Canada welcomes Syrian immigrants, subject to proper screening, but most refugees need a Canadian sponsor. Sponsors take on specific obligations, including helping the sponsored person or family cover basic living expenses for one year. This allows the family to get established in their new home and engage in language training. At the end of this year as landed immigrants, the former refugees are entitled to the same social safety net as all Canadians. Many congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) are sponsoring refugees including families from Syria. They work through Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) to manage the paperwork, find local sponsors (typically congregations), and monitor legal compliance. King of Life Lutheran Church in Coquitlam, British Columbia has had some experience sponsoring refugees. When the Syrian crisis arose they began to meet to consider how they might best respond. Since it would take significant time to raise the sponsorship funding, they decided that they would focus first on providing local support to government refugees arriving in the community. In the meantime they would begin to raise funds to sponsor refugees. They hope to partner with others (churches, businesses, or informal groups) to raise the necessary money. The Proposal: 1. Raise money for Syrian Refugee Action Group (SRAG). The goal would be $23,000 USD (roughly $30,000 CAD). This is what the Canadian Government requires in advance to sponsor a family of 4 for 1 year. (Family sizes vary, so the amount could go up or down.) continued on page 3...

2 April & May 2016/ Page 2 Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity 1710 Eleventh Avenue Seattle, Washington phone: fax: Spring Schedule: Choir: 9:00 am Sunday School: 9:45 am Forum for Faith Formation: 9:45 am Worship: 11:00 am Pastors: Cindy Salo pastor@loveiscentral.org By appointment on Tues. through Thurs. Home phone in emergency: Verlon Brown office hours by appointment, please call the office, Office Manager: Sandy Kraegel office@loveiscentral.org Office hours: 10 am - 5 pm Tuesday-Friday Coordinator of Intergenerational Ministries (CIM) David De Block cim@loveiscentral.org Sunday through Thursday & as needed Music Director: James Jelasic musicdirector@loveiscentral.org Thank you to February & March volunteers! ACOLYTES: Daniel Kaiser, Isaac Emmons, Siri Donlea, Connor Rauch, Anna Kiem, and David Kaiser ALTAR GUILD: Lynn Rauch, Kristine Knutson, Christa, Julia Maywald, Cynthia Wold, Chris Kealy, Jeff Slesinger, Sue Anderson, and Bob Hartl ASSISTING MINISTERS: John Mostrom, Tom Donlea, Allison R., Natalie Tews, Daniel Kasier, Steven Chapman, Lynn Rauch, Theresa Wagner, and Cathy Woods COFFEE HOUR: Andrea Langeland, Liz Langeland, Jonna Farley, Erica Siefkes, Miranda Anderson, Connor Rauch, John Mostrom, Cathy Woods, and Anne Bush COMMUNION BREAD: Anne Bush and Julia Maywald TELLERS: Sarah Tranum, Cathy Woods, Jamie Pedersen, Adam Rauch, Steve Gibson, Chris Kealy, Jeff Cook, and Kari Oversvee-Choi USHERS: Lois Austin, Cindy & Molly J., Brooke Powers, Steve Gibson, and Michael Barr Caretaker: Brian Schoof caretaker@loveiscentral.org Groundskeeper: Bradley Finn grounds@loveiscentral.org Nursery: Fall hours: Sunday 9:45 am - 12:45 pm For children ages five and under We are an open and affirming congregation, which in Lutheran churches is called Reconciling in Christ. We seek to share God s love with all people regardless of race, age, gender or sexual orientation. All are welcome. Receive the readings via Many people find it helpful to read the Sunday readings ahead of time. If you would like to receive a weekly with the upcoming Sunday s readings, please let Sandy know at office@loveiscentral.org.

3 April & May 2016/ Page 3 Faith in Action continued from the front page... Next steps: 2. Donations would be paid to Central Lutheran Church SRAG and would be tax deductible. At the proper time, Central would transfer the funds to CLWR, which would hold the funds in a specially-designated trust fund for the family King of Life is sponsoring. CLWR will dispense the money to the sponsored family over the course of 1 year. No money would be sent directly or indirectly to King of Life. 3. Coquitlam is just across the border in suburban Vancouver, B.C. Participants in SRAG will have opportunities to visit our mission partners at King of Life, meet the sponsored family, and help with sweat equity projects such as making the family s home clean and comfortable. We will invite King of Life members and the sponsored family to visit us in Seattle, subject to possible legal restrictions. 4. Families are waiting in refugee camps, so time is precious. SRAG would need to establish an aggressive timeline for the fundraising campaign. 1. Come to church on April 17, SRAG will be the topic at the forum for faith formation (9:45 am in the Parish and at coffee hour (after worship). Pastor Kathy Martin (King of Life Church, Coquitlam) will be the guest preacher. Meet her and find out about more about this potential partnership. 2. If you support this idea, please contact David Copley, Brian Anderson or David De Block. We are planning an organizational meeting for April David Copley tdcopley@gmail.com David De Block cim@loveiscentral.org If you are enthused, please consider making a lead gift. Please contact David C., Brian, or David D. for details.

4 April & May 2016/ Page 4 Kids At Central Sunday School Schedule for April 2016 Gather Time ~ Oasis Room ~ 9:30 to 9:45 am Sunday School ~ Classrooms ~ 9:45 to 10:30 am Singing & Offering Time ~ Oasis Room ~ 10:30 to 10:45 am April 3 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ 2 nd Sunday of Easter ~ Weavers ~ Godly Play ~ Books of the Bible ~ Fishers ~ Godly Play ~ Books of the Bible ~ Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Work Day ~ April 10 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ 3 rd Sunday of Easter ~ Weavers ~ Godly Play ~ Jesus and the Twelve ~ Fishers ~ Godly Play ~ Jesus and the Twelve ~ Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Work Day ~ April 17 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ 4 th Sunday of Easter ~ Weavers ~ Godly Play ~ The Good Shepherd and World Communion ~ Fishers ~ Godly Play ~ The Good Shepherd and World Communion ~ Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Work Day ~ April 24 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ 5 th Sunday of Easter ~ Weavers ~ Godly Play ~ Synagogue and the Upper Room ~ Fishers ~ Godly Play ~ Synagogue and the Upper Room ~ Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Jesus Feeds 5000 ~

5 April & May 2016/ Page 5 Kids At Central Sunday School Schedule for May 2016 Gather Time ~ Oasis Room ~ 9:30 to 9:45 am Sunday School ~ Classrooms ~ 9:45 to 10:30 am Singing & Offering Time ~ Oasis Room ~ 10:30 to 10:45 am May 1 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ 6 th Sunday of Easter ~ Weavers & Fishers ~ Godly Play ~ Symbols of the Holy Eucharist ~ (Sanctuary) Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Work Day ~ May 8 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ 7 th Sunday of Easter ~ Weavers ~ Godly Play ~ Circle of Holy Eucharist ~ Fishers ~ Godly Play ~ Circle of Holy Eucharist ~ Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Jesus and the Storm ~ May 15 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ Day of Pentecost ~ Weavers ~ Godly Play ~ Mystery of Pentecost ~ Fishers ~ Godly Play ~ Mystery of Pentecost ~ Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Work Day ~ May 22 ~ Class ~ Curriculum ~ Lesson ~ Carpenters ~ Feasting on the Word ~ The Holy Trinity ~ Weavers ~ Godly Play ~ Parable of the Sower ~ Fishers~ Godly Play ~ Parable of the Sower ~ Potters ~ Following Jesus ~ Jesus Heals Two Daughters ~ May 29 ~ Memorial Day Weekend Carpenters, Weavers, Fishers, & Potters Combined Class. Meet in Oasis Room!

6 April & May 2016/ Page 6 Kids At Central Sund a ysc hool@ Ce ntra l(ss@ C) Happy Spring! Dear Centralities, Happy Spring! As we look to the months of April & May we know that summer is just around the corner. This also means that we ve only got a couple more months left of Sunday School for the program year. In March we not only had Go-Night that two of our middle schoolers attended, but also Easter and our annual Sunday School Easter egg hunt on Sunday March 27 th! A huge thank you to Siri Miller and all those who helped stuff & hide Easter Eggs. Just a few months ago we also had college care packages sent to our members pursuing higher education opportunities. They all loved their Valentine s Day themed packages and were grateful for the extra love. As we look to this summer we re hoping to organize an opportunity for all of us to connect and check in. There might even be a Sunday afternoon trip to watch the minor league Rainers baseball team in action! Stay tuned! Blessings, KAC Committee Brooke Powers Carl Kaiser Siri Miller Pastor Cindy Salo Angela Oberdeck Sarah Tranum David De Block Pa nc a ke Bre a kfa stfund ra ise r THANK YOU! The Central are happy to report that we made $ for the Youth Reserve Fund. Special thank you to the Anderson, Donlea/ Maywald, Kaiser/Wagner, Burger, Brunsman/Barnett, Kiem, De Block/ Wells and Nelson family and friends for helping to make this event a success. 19 people helped to prep, organize, serve, and clean-up this annual event. Special thanks also to Thrivent Financial for providing the Seed Money to purchase all the supplies needed through their Thrivent Action Team Program.

7 April & May 2016/ Page 7 KidsA tc en tral Central (C@C) Returning Confirmation will be returning for the Program Year! PARENTS & CONFIRMANDS please mark your calendars for a June 5 th information session & discussion in the church basement from 9 :45 am to 10:45 am! Please contact David De Block with questions at cim@ loveiscentral.org Central (Y@C) Reinvented ? Ministry is constantly changing and in flux. This past year the Central discontinued Youth Group and helped to make sure our Sunday School Program could successfully continue for the year. As we look to this coming program year we ask ourselves what we want this year to look like? Where shall we focus our younger members? What do they want to do? How can they be involved in the life and work of the church at Central? These are some of the questions we re asking ourselves. Have comments or questions of your own? Contact David De Block cim@loveiscentral.org P rideatc en tral SAVE THE DATE! PRIDE PARADE Sunday JUNE 26 This year we were able to register under Reconciling Works to accurately unite the Lutheran Congregations from around the Pacific Northwest who march together to show God s love! We hope this will be a way that spectators can find Reconciling In Christ Churches that are near them and further God s Love. Please save the date for 2016 s Parade! More to come!

8 April & May 2016/ Page 8 Faith Formation Forum Schedule Our Sunday mornings are a good time to come together to learn and share with one another. Please join us at 9:45 am in the Parish Hall and we ll have the coffee on. April 3 Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA (part 1) A documentary film that tells stories of how guns and the billions made off them affect the lives of everyday Americans, featuring personal stories from people across the country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victim s families. April 10 Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA (part 2) April 17 April 24 May 1 May 8 Creating a Home for Syrian Refugees Pastor Kathy Martin of King of Life Lutheran Church in Coquitilam, BC, Canada will be with us to share their efforts to welcome families escaping the war in Syria and together we will explore ways for members of Central to become involved in this ministry of welcome and support. Café Central - Coffee & Conversation ~ The Confirmation & Youth Group teenagers are doing an experiment this year where they help out in the Sunday School Rooms and then come to Café Central to share their experiences with whomever is around. Hear what faith formative experiences are happening for our younger members of Central. Walking the Camino Central s own Liz Langeland recently completed the 500 mile adventure that is the Camino de Santiago and will be with us to share the story, her pictures, and her reflections on this remarkable journey. Uppity Women of the Bible Esther, sessions 1 & 2 ~ This video and discussion series asks us to enter an exotic and fanciful Persian kingdom complete with a dim-witted king, a defiant queen, an egotistical lieutenant and a loyal uncle all occurring in a Biblical book where God is never mentioned. May 15 Uppity Women of the Bible Esther, sessions 3 & 4 May 22 Uppity Women of the Bible Esther, sessions 5 & 6 May 29 please see description for April 24 June 5 & 12 To be announced Summer schedule begins on Sunday June 19- there will be no Forum for Faith Formation or Café Central during the summer

9 April & May 2016/ Page 9 For Your Consideration Childcare Volunteers Sought When: Sunday afternoons, 3-5 pm Where: Compass on Dexter apartments, across from Denny Park Why: Mothers and Grandmothers are attending an on-site values/skills program with a Compass case manager. The group functions more smoothly when there is childcare available. Description: The kids who come range in age from toddler to early elementary. Several have trauma backgrounds, so patient, loving, flexible adult caregivers are a must. We encourage creative free play, and there are a variety of arts and crafts materials available on site. Volunteers choose the frequency of their commitment (1x, 2x, or 3x a month). How to Volunteer: Contact Pastor Kari Lipke to arrange to attend a session with other volunteers from Gethsemane and the Garden. If, after this trial session, you feel called to continue, Kari will run a background check and sign you up! (pastor@seattlegarden.org or ). February & March Attendance Mark your calendars FEBRUARY February 7 57 February 10 (Ash Wednesday) 20 February February February MARCH March 6 62 March March 20 (Palm Sunday) 56 March 24 (Maundy Thursday) 20 March 25 (Good Friday) 40 March 27 (Easter Sunday) 160 Please be advised that David De Block, Central CIM, will be out of the office starting after worship on Sunday April 10. He will be attending the Proclaim Retreat in CA. David will return to the office on Friday April 15. David will also be out of the office beginning Friday May 6. He will return to the office on Tuesday May 10. Sandy Kraegel, Central s Office Manager, will be out of the office on Friday April 15. She will also be out of the office beginning Friday May 13. She will return to the office on Tuesday May 24.

10 April & May 2016/ Page 10 Happy Birthday Below, you ll find the names of Centralites celebrating their birthday in April and May. Share a birthday wish with them and help make it a special day! Allen Jones 4/01 Isaac Emmons 4/06 Fievel Gordon 4/12 Bob Johnson 4/13 Eric Pedersen 4/14 Katie Streit 4/14 Kristine Knutson 4/20 Brittin Baker 4/21 Liz Langeland 4/21 Cori Myka 4/23 Jennifer Evans 4/24 Kelly Keyes 4/25 Greg Griffin 4/29 Wynn O Donnell 4/29 Lynn Rauch 4/29 Kate Baker 4/30 Jude Small 5/02 Nancy Tuininga 5/03 Kevin Urdahl 5/06 Olivia Johnson 5/07 Jonathan Larson 5/07 Stephanie Cross 5/09 Jonathan Schoof 5/11 Summer Waldron 5/12 Nate Copley 5/14 Sarah Tranum 5/14 Nora Y. 5/14 Suzy Oversvee 5/15 Sam Busch Urdahl 5/16 Dave Cross 5/16 Decker O Donnell 5/16 Lois Austin 5/17 Heather Fryhle 5/17 Brodie Myka 5/20 Brent Stolle 5/21 Deacon Miller 5/26 Erika Kiem 5/28 Pastor Cindy 5/29

11 REGIONAL TOUR Central Lutheran Church th Ave, Seattle, WA Saturday, June 4, a.m. 5 p.m. Register: RWKS.org/events, $25 Spend a day with fellow Lutherans to learn more about deepening and expanding welcome, inclusion, and celebration for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and their families in the church and our communities. Your day will be filled with: Worship Sharing a meal Workshops Updates our executive director and board members Visioning for the future For more information or if you have questions, call or info@reconcilingworks.org

12 April & May 2016/ Page 12 You re invited tocom m unity L unchb ingo! Sunda y A pril2 4 th,2 pm 4 pm atthe CentralL utheranchurchparishh all Enjoy refreshm ents,snacks,and a popcornbuffet! L ine up yourbingo boards,leave yourtroubles behind,and com e m eet the othervolunteers and people thatm ake ourprogram possible.join ina relaxed afternoonof jackpots and bonanzas and good cheer.kids, friends,fam ily are allwelcom e to joininthis free com m unity event.

13 April & May 2016/ Page 13 Central s Theology Book Club Our next Theology Book Group Gathering will be Thursday April 28th at 6:30 pm in the Upstairs Fireside Room in the Parish Hall at Central Lutheran. Discussion will start at 7 pm. Bring a sack supper and/or snacks to share at 6:30 pm. This is an informal opportunity to build community with other Central folks through discussion of a theological book and how it relates to our faith and lives - both personally and in community. We hope to engage in intentional theological reflection and dialogue, discerning anew our role as people of faith in community. We want to hear your thoughts voiced! Contact Andrea Langeland and Theresa Wagner for more information. On Thursday, April 28th we will continue our discussion of the new Jim Wallis book, America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America. On Thursday, May 26th we will discuss Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. For Prayer Central does have a Prayer Chain. If you are interested in joining it or have a concern you would like to have the Prayer Chain pray for, please contact Pastor Cindy ( ; pastor@loveiscentral.org). We pray for the following this month: Ill and recovering: Kathy Twohig Julie Mattson Jennifer Evan s mom Becky Evans Katie Bell s stepmother Mrs. Ruth Schnepp Natalie Tews father Paul Tews Sam R. Becky Peterson, friend of Steve Gibson Andrea and Liz Langeland's cousin Karl Holm Trisha and Jason Barney, friends of Brent and Bethany Stolle Marty Scheurich, Steve Scheurich s mom KiHo Choi, Chang Choi s father Jose Velez, friend of Chang Choi and Kari Oversvee-Choi Pastor Verlon Brown Ardis Brolsma, Jackie Brolsma s mom Recovering from surgery: Glen Gersmehl

14 April 2016 April 2016 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa May 2016 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Mar Apr :00am CLCH Food Delivery :30pm Committee Sunday 2:30pm McCain Anniversary 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish 11:00am Staff Meeting (Pastor 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery Formation (Parish 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish David De Block at Proclaim Retreat 1:00pm Staff Meeting (Pastor 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery Formation (Parish 3:30pm CLCH Food Delivery 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish 11:00am Staff Meeting (Pastor 6:15pm Council Dinner (Parish 7:00pm Council Meeting 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery Mercer Island High School Urban Plunge weekend 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery Mercer Island High School Urban 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish 1:00pm Staff Meeting (Pastor Spring Bishop's Convocation 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery 6:30pm Theology Book Group (Fireside Room) 9:00am Council Retreat (Off Site) 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery

15 May 2016 May 2016 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa June 2016 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY May :30pm Committee Sunday 3:30pm CLCH Food Delivery 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish 11:00am Staff Meeting (Pastor 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery David De Block, Central CIM, out of the office 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery David De Block, Central CIM, out of the office Formation (Parish 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish 1:00pm Staff Meeting (Pastor 6:15pm Council Dinner (Parish 7:00pm Council Meeting 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery Sandy Kraegel, Office Manager, on vacation 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery Pentecost Sunday 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish Sandy Kraegel, Office Manager, on vacation 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery 11:00am Staff Meeting (Pastor Synod Assembly 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery Sandy Kraegel, Office Manager, on vacation Formation (Parish 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish 1:00pm Staff Meeting (Pastor 6:30pm AA Meeting (Parish 6:00pm CLCH Food Delivery 6:30pm Theology Book Group (Fireside Room) Jun Formation (Parish Memorial Day- Office Closed 6:00pm NA meeting (Parish 11:00am Staff Meeting (Pastor 10:00am CLCH Food Delivery

16 April & May 2016/ Page 16 Mark your calendars Thursday April 28 Sunday May 1 Sunday May 15 Fri. May 20 - Sat. May 21 Theology Book 6:30 pm Committee Sunday Pentecost Synod Assembly Thursday May 26 ` Theology Book 6:30 pm Sunday June 5 Sunday June 12 Teacher Appreciation Sunday (during worship) Congregational Picnic (following worship) Sunday June 19 Summer Schedule begins 10:00 am Worship There will be no Singing School, Choir, Sunday School, Forum for Faith Formation, or Café Central during the summer Central Lutheran Church Following Christ; sharing God s love for all people.