Tidings from Tibbetts

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1 Tidings from Tibbetts R e v. D r. J o a n n e C a r l s o n B r o w n M a r c h Founded 1909 I n f o r m a t i o n a n d I ns p i r a t i o n f r o m T i b be t t s U ni t e d M e t h o dis t C h u r c h Joanne s Jottings by Rev. Dr. Joanne Brown I found this (writer unknown) years ago and thought it was worth passing on as we journey together through Lent. Maybe take each reply and spend one day thinking about it and what it would mean to your life. As Ted writes in his article, it is a good thing to add something in Lent that will be meaningful rather than giving up things unless those are bad habits and ways of thinking. Youth Update by Ted Brosius The Interview with God: I dreamed I had an interview with God. So would you like to interview me? God asked. If you have time, I said. God smiled. My time is eternity. What questions do you have in mind for me? Continued to page 7 We re on a Mission for God Mission Possible Inside this issue: March has come! Even though it doesn t really seem like we ve had a winter (where was all the snow, freezing rain, and just plain cold this year?), it is indeed March, the official beginning of spring. March also happens to be the usual month of Lent, the great forty-plus day church season that begins with Ash Wednesday and leads up to Holy Week and Easter. I m pretty sure you re all familiar with some Lenten traditions giving up something you enjoy or like for the season (chocolate, beer, a favorite soda, caffeine or coffee), eating fish on Fridays, fasting, and so forth. Most of us have done something for Lent. In college, one of my roommates was Catholic, and since the four of us all had at least one common meal together every week (me being the cook), we decided to have fish every Friday of Lent for the two years we all lived together. She was grateful that a Protestant (me), an agnostic (my thenwife), and an atheist (roommate #3) would all honor her traditions by making and Continued to page 2 Joanne s Jottings 1 & 7 Youth Update 1 & 2 Gratitude Corner 3 Calling All Knitters 4 Adult Lenten Study 5 Book Club 6 It s YOUR Birthday! 8 And So Much More!

2 Page 2 T id i ngs from Tibbetts Youth Update continued Continued from page 1 eating yummy fish meals together. It was a great time for all of us to bond over a common meal, and sparked some great discussions about church traditions and being religious. This was an addition that added great value to all of our lives. I still can t cook fish without thinking back to those meals together. Working with the North Mason UMC youth group, I encouraged them to give fasting a try (yeah, I know, asking youth to give up food for 24 hours). The deal was, I would not eat on Fridays, and they could skip breakfast and lunch that day. They told me they were doing it, so for six weeks I ate breakfast (at 3am) before going to work on Friday, then didn t eat again until Saturday morning. It was more like 30 hours of fasting each week, but it worked. The youth response was all about how hungry they were; my co-workers responses were about how crazy I was; and my response was a greater understanding of how much I ate without reason or hunger, and better control over those bad habits. I ve personally given up many other things over the years sodas (didn t miss them); coffee (tea became a favorite hot beverage again); chocolate (again, didn t miss it); and ice cream (that I missed). I never really gained anything from all that giving up of things. A few years ago, I started adding instead of subtracting things for Lent. Two years ago, I added daily meditation and journaling as my Lent tradition. Every day, I had to at least try to meditate, and remember to journal every night. It was difficult I found excuses not to take the time to find a quiet meditation space; and for some reason I was always too tired to write before going to bed (though never too tired to read). I struggled, but in the end prevailed. I still do both of those things on a fairly regular basis, and am much closer to God, and more in control of myself, than I was before. Last year, it was nightly prayer. I admit, I m not great at praying it s something I m not totally comfortable with, and I always feel awkward talking to God. Again, after struggling and working at it, I was able to add that to my life. This year, it s going to be reading scripture every night. Considering I, like many people, find parts of the Bible boring, this might be a challenge. But, I do love reading, so Those activities I ve added to my life are spiritual disciplines. They are exercises to make my faith life stronger. Like all exercises, they are difficult to start, easy to quit, and take determination and perseverance to follow through on. I have days when I don t feel like doing them, just like I sometimes (actually, often) don t feel like running after work, or am too tired and /or distracted to write in my journal, or pray, or meditate. But I know that my spiritual life will grow from this effort, and so I keep on trying, just as I keep running even when I m tired and sore, knowing I ll feel better afterwards having done it. For Lent this year, I m not going to ask the youth to give up a favorite thing, but to add something new to their lives. Every week, they will receive a copy of one of the upcoming week s Lectionary readings. Their added spiritual discipline? Read that passage and come ready to talk about it on Sunday. It s not anything huge, but it s a start. As I learned when I started running, you start small, and if you work at it, you can run farther than you would ever imagine! Mar 1, 8, 15, 29 12:00-1:00pm Joint Youth Group Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 3:00-5:00pm Office Hours at Barnes & Noble or Admiral Safeway Mar 6, 13, 27 6:00-8:00pm Weekly Fun Time

3 Page 3 Rev. Dr. Joanne Car lso n Brow n Gratitude Corner There are some people you just can t imagine the church without. Doris and Tom Barker are those types of people. Doris was brought up in this church and been part of it ever since. Tom came after they met at WSU (Go Cougs). The church has been a huge part of their lives and we would be the poorer if they were not among us. They have done more things in the church than I can possibly do justice to but here are some of them (and just reading them makes me tired): Doris currently: -Member of Worship ministry area -Member of UMW - Chair for the Holiday Craft Bazaar this year, hosts meetings at her home Baked and sewed for the Holiday Craft Bazaar -Drives others to church and home -Helps with Fellowship time whenever Worship is hosting -Actively supports church events (always there, makes good potluck dishes) And in the past: -Brought to TUMC by her parents when she was 4; member for well over 50 years -Married in Tibbetts in Rummage Sale - prices baby items and works long hours -Senior high youth group leader with Tom -Youth missions to Alaska twice -Helped with Tom in directing the kids chimes choir (marked music, etc) -Many roles in UMW over the years -Rang in the handbell choir for years -Sang in the choir for years -VBS Day Camp co leader for years and years -Took family to Seabeck family camp for years -Managed to get 4 kids to church every Sunday Tom currently: -Sings in the choir -Prepares list of Liturgists -Gives feedback on assisted listening/helped choose what we use -Member of Worship ministry area -Troubleshoots some computer issues with senior members of TUMC -Actively supports church events (always there) Tom s past service: -Trustee for years and years (and years) -Rummage Sale - did testing and repair on electronics, prices computer items and works long hours -Set up computers for a number of people at Tibbetts (and beyond) and taught them how to use -Brought to TUMC by his girlfriend (that would be Doris!) -Married in Tibbetts in Senior high youth group leader with Doris -Youth missions to Alaska twice -Directed the kids chimes choir -Many roles in UMM over the years -Rang in the handbell choir for years -Took family to Seabeck family camp for years -Managed to get 4 kids to church every Sunday As you can see the list is extensive, some out in front and many behind the scenes as well. For all the work and for the positive and supportive and encouraging people they are, those little intangibles that do not fit in a list, we on the Leadership Team express our deepest gratitude to Tom and Doris Barker (and no this was not Betsy s idea).

4 Page 4 T id i ngs from Tibbetts General United Methodist Woman s Meeting - w ill meet on March 4, 2015 at 10am in the Parlor. The program will follow by our very own Rev Dr. Joanne Carlson Brown. Norma Ruth Hugg Circle will furnish finger food, tea & coffee. Circle Meetings Norma Ruth Hugg Circle-will meet on Mar 11 at 10am. They will meet with Floy Carter as host at her residence. She will also do the program. Bee North Circle-will meet on Mar 11 at 10am. They will meet in the Parlor with June Thomas hosting and Candida Pascual presenting the program. Kolze Circle-will meet on Mar 20 at 7pm. Place TBA. Sewing Circle-will meet on Mar 18 from 10am-2pm in the Sewing Room. Bring a sack lunch, coffee & tea will be provided. Come and join the fun of quilting. Calling All Knitters Joanne would like about knitted squares. If you have the time and yarn she would appreciate you getting to work on whatever and however many you can do and bring them into her at church. Any color is fine. Curious why? Dorcas Bogie Rebecca Ponzio Kelsey Green Pat Carney Charlie Shelfer Carrie Goodnight Linda Carlock Cathy Lehmann Gwen Francisco Matthew Blankenau Josephine Gill Austin Howell Addie Scidmore Shirley Lindberg Maniah Smith Keely Bazakas Madelyn Thomas Janet Smith Happy Anniversary in March Congratulations and many blessings! Happy Birthday in March You ll just have to wait until she has them all to find out. MaryAnn & Sam Nagel celebrating 58 years

5 Page 5 Rev. Dr. Joanne Car lso n Brow n Adult Lenten Study Adult Lenten Study begins Monday, March 2 from 12:30-1:30pm led by Joanne and is repeated again on Thursdays beginning March 5 at 7pm led by Mary W iener. You can choose which ever time fits best with your schedule and comfort driving. We are using a video series Animate: Faith which is a series of 15 minute videos followed by discussion. We hope as many of you as can will join us one of those 2 times each week through Lent. Seattle/Tacoma District Training Reconciling Ministries Network Annual Gathering The Seattle/Tacoma district training is Saturday, March 7 at Kent UMC. Early discounted registration is past but you can still register on line at the Conference web site ( The theme is does God need the church and the keynote is by Michael Ramos, executive director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle followed by 2 workshop sessions. If you would like to go, please let Joanne know so we can arrange carpooling or use of the van. March 21 is the Annual Gathering of the Conference Reconciling Ministries Network churches and individuals. It is a wonderful time to meet people from other Reconciling churches to see what they are doing to live into that understanding and to hear from Bishop Talbert, the keynote speaker, and attend workshops. Registration information is at Please let Joanne know if you d like to go so we can carpool or van it to Bellevue First UMC. It would be great to have a good contingent from Tibbetts attending. Pub Theology Pub theology this month is March 26 from 5:30-7pm at The Bridge on California and Graham. Good food and drink and even better company and discussion. We ll start off the discussion looking at what, if any, Lenten practices people have or have taken up this year and why or why not and what is so important about Lent anyhow. All are welcome to join us. Jesus Christ Superstar A dedicated group of people have been working very hard the last few months preparing to present a version of Jesus Christ Superstar for our worship service on Palm/Passion Sunday. You ll want to be there to support your brother and sister Tibbetts folks who have worked so hard and to take the time to reflect on the last week of Jesus life as we enter Holy Week. 10am March 29.

6 Page 6 T id i ngs from Tibbetts Musical Notes by John Van Lierop, Jr. The Musical Wesley s, Part II Continuing from last month s article on the musical side of the Wesley family (founders of Methodism in England), Charles, the hymn writer and brother of John had two sons Charles II ( ) and Samuel Wesley ( ). Charles II became an unsuccessful secular musician while his brother Samuel became a renowned church musician in the Catholic Church of England. Samuel Wesley was instrumental in getting the organ works of JS Bach published in England. He also gave lectures on the music of Bach at various institutions. Samuel s son was Samuel Sebastian Wesley ( ). Of all the Wesley s he was probably the most successful, being chosen organist at Winchester Cathedral at the mere age of 16. Samuel Sebastian promoted the establishment of a Musical College to train church musicians. He wrote extensive choral anthems and hymn tunes. Samuel Sebastian set tunes to a number of his grandfather s hymns. The two remaining hymn tunes of his in our present UMH are #545 The Church s One foundation and #473 Lead Me, Lord. March Book Club Friday, March 27, 6-8pm at the Carter's House My Real Children by Jo Walton It s 2015, and Patricia Cowan is very old. Confused today, read the notes clipped to the end of her bed. She forgets things she should know what year it is, major events in the lives of her children. But she remembers things that don't seem possible. She remembers marrying Mark and having four children. And she remembers not marrying Mark and raising three children with Bee instead. Her childhood, her years at Oxford during the Second World War those were solid things. But after that, did she marry Mark or not? Did her friends all call her Trish, or Pat? Had she been a housewife who escaped a terrible marriage after her children were grown, or a successful travel writer with homes in Britain and Italy? A book set in two different alternate pasts whose prose will haunt you. Saint Patrick s - Sunday Shamrock Cookie Decorating What: When: Where: Come celebrate St. Patrick s Day. We will be decorating shamrock-shaped sugar cookies during coffee hour. Sunday, March 15 during coffee hour. Coffee Hour will be in Adams Hall.

7 Page 7 Rev. Dr. Joanne Car lso n Brow n Joanne s Jottings continued Continued from page 1 What surprises you most about humanity? God answered That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money, and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither in the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived. God s hand took mine and we were silent for awhile. And then I asked As a parent, what are some of life s lessons you want your children to learn? To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved. To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness. To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them. To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least. To learn that there are people who love them dearly, but simply have not yet learned how to express or show their feelings. To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently. To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves. Thank you for your time, I said humbly. Is there anything else you would like your children to know? God smiled and said Just know that I am here always. May Lent bring us the time to slow down and know, really know, that God has all eternity to listen to our questions, our doubts, our cries, our laughter and will respond but maybe not in the manner we expect. And most importantly, that God is with us. Always. March 8 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SPRING FORWARD! You don t want to show up after church is done.. do you? In Case of an Emergency on F r i/ Sat/ Sun c a ll Joanne Messages le ft a t t h e c h u rc h afte r 2p m on T hurs. a re no t c he c ke d u n t il Mon. mo r n ings. T h an k you ve r y m uc h!

8 Tibbetts United Methodist Church st Ave. SW Seattle, WA We re on a Mission for God Mission Possible! Phone: churchoffice@tibbettsumchurch.org Church Members receive a lengthier printed version via US Mail. The Communications Committee has ensured addresses and phone numbers of church members who host events in their home are not published on the internet, and also protects the privacy of its Youth. Facebook.com/TibbettsUMChurch We welcome all people to celebrate and share God's love. It s YOUR Birthday! It's time to celebrate your birthday, no matter when it is! This year March 1st is the day we ALL have birthdays. Please join us at the All Church Potluck Birthday Party in Adams Hall, right after the worship service. This event is always very well attended and this year will be no exception since everyone has a birthday and celebrations are a great way for us to be together in fellowship. We re planning some fun & games and maybe a little spirited competition that is sure to delight. Once again we will have Table Hosts for each month that will be in contact with you to invite you to the party. We ll post the full list of Table Hosts in the entryway so you can see who'll be hosting your table. If for any reason you don't see your name on the list for the month of your birthday, please let your Table Host know that you are lucky enough to be born the same month as they are and are ready for a party! Please bring a potluck dish (main, salad or side) to share. We ll handle desserts (think: cupcakes!). Get ready for fun, fellowship, games, and of course, The Birthday Song! We hope to see everyone there!