THE GRAPEVINE. F IRST PRESB YT E RIAN OF SANDPOINT, IDAHO Septe mber 2014

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1 THE GRAPEVINE F IRST PRESB YT E RIAN OF SANDPOINT, IDAHO Septe mber 2014 FROM THE PASTOR This was an amazing summer filled with a variety of worship and adventures. It was great to gather at City Beach in July even though the temperature was on the cool side. In August the bagpipes announced to the neighborhood that we were worshipping on the church lawn and enjoying a sundae Sunday. In between these two special worship opportunities we had Kids Alive Day Camp in partnership with the Sandpoint United Methodist Church and First Lutheran Church and Camp Twin Low staff that helped lead the program for over 50 kids. The Bike and Build group came and went, with many people helping to host them with good food, shuttles to the showers, and welcoming conversation. These are just a few of the major events of the summer, and there were other events in each of our lives, some of them delightful and some more challenging. Living life to the full is often a mixed bag because the more you experience the joys of faith, love, hope, peace, and other gifts of God, the more you become aware that there is also tremendous suffering in life. The more you love, the more you become vulnerable to pain and struggle. Jesus Christ is the archetype for this kind of living. Yet Jesus also helps transform our suffering, not so much to make it go away, but to keep that connection to love strong even in our weakness. The ministries, programs, and mission of the church involves opportunities that do more than fill the calendar. Each event or worship service invites us deeper into relationship with God and one another, and is a response to God s ongoing presence in our midst. The summer was really wonderful, but alas, it has slipped by us once again as autumn falls into place. It's hard to believe it is September already, with a more structured schedule for many, and one that doesn't seem to slow down. In this newsletter there are many articles about various projects, plans, and programs, but rather doing them for their own sake, these are intended to help fulfill a larger purpose: connection. Whether it's worshipping at The Bridge and Life Care on September 14, or hosting a Wednesday evening Peacemaking Interfaith/Ecumenical dialogue, connecting with God's larger world helps us be intentional about exploring the depths of faith and reaching out to others with love, warmth, and compassion. Listening to the other and hearing their stories gives us a chance to find out what God is up to in our world today. As you enjoy the garden veggies before the frosts come, give thanks for all the ways God has been active in your life through connections with amazing people. As the seasons change, look for ways God continues to invite, challenge, and encourage as we listen to and share the loving Good News in Christ. Christ s Peace, Pastor Andy

2 2 MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH Wow, summer is over already?? It's been a doosie! Hope everyone is ready for fall activities. September 7th will be Kick Off Sunday at the church. As you may recall that is the day that all the activities in the church are presented to the congregation and there is a bunch. There is something for everyone and it s a really great way to get to know other congregants. If you are interested in a free 1-year subscription to Presbyterians Today, click on the following link. servlet/mailview? ms=mjezmzgyndes1&r=nzg2mjm0mteznt ks1&j=mzgxnzixnzy4s0&mt=1&rt=0 This committee will be hosting the event and provide the food. This is our way of thanking our congregation for all the support of our many diverse projects. Please come and join us for lunch after the service on September 7th. MISSIONS Now that summer is winding down, and we're "getting back to normal," it's time to refocus on our giving. So far this year, we have sent Living Waters for the World a little more than one-half of the cost of one-third of a water purification system. This doesn't sound like much, but at this rate, we can donate enough to equal the cost of one water purification system every three years. Just $5.00 a month can do a lot. The Making a Difference Without Spending Money mission project has been equally successful. The Box Tops for Education Labels for Education, and plastic grocery bags continue to be dropped off. We've also collected quite a few used eyeglasses and sunglasses for EyeCare International Several weeks ago, I delivered 2 computers, 1 monitor, 2 keyboards, 4 printers, 1 mouse, and a variety of cords to North Idaho Computer Users Group in Coeur d'alene. Computers are scrubbed of all personal information. These items will be refurbished and given or sold at discount to financially disadvantaged folks. What can't be used will be e-cycled, so they won't become a landfill problem. Together, we re making a difference to a lot of people. Anna Bates, Mission Outreach Elder.

3 3 Presbyterian Women will resume meetings September 9th. The schedule is: bag lunch at 11:45 a.m., business meeting at noon, program at 12:35, with Bible Study at about 1:00 p.m.. The program will be from Marilyn Robertson and Barbara Rolph on the Synod meeting of P. W. There will also be installation of officers. At the September meeting, women volunteer a Fair Share offering. Everyone donates an offering towards the operating budget. This is done instead of holding multiple fundraisers. All donations are appreciated. Bible Study books on Reconciling Paul a study of 2 Corinthians- are available in the church office for $10. If any women are interested in doing an evening Bible study Barbara Rolph is willing to lead it. Bible Study lasts for one hour. Presbyterian Women are having the annual rummage sale October 3-4 to help our community. Please donate gently used and clean items. If you or your friends cannot bring items to the church we will pick it up for you! Many hands make light work; and, you will have a good time. Call Margareta Larson at with questions or to signup to help. Thank you.

4 4 FINANCE We crossed a significant milestone on August 10th! We paid off our obligation to Panhandle Bank! As the second part of our plan we need to stay the course and replenish our cash cushion...in the amount of about $30,000. But without having to make a debt payment and folks continuing to make pledges to the Building Fund we ll be able and make up the cash relatively quickly. Important...continue to earmark those commitments to the Building Fund for proper accounting. A reminder that the current Financial statements are posted on the bulletin board across from the church office. For specific questions about finance contact Don Helander (don@sandpointwest.com).

5 5 SEPTEMBER PEACEMAKING SERIES I am delighted that FPC is hosting a series of mid-week, evening discussions starting this month and I'd like to ask for your help getting the word out to the community. The discussions will be facilitated by Pastor Andy and the hospitality will be provided by all of us! We are calling it, "Getting to know our neighbors. Peacemaking through community." September 21, 2014 recognizes the International Day of Peace. To expand this annual observance and honor peacemaking we will be hosting neighboring faith communities for interfaith and ecumenical discussion. To help us in getting to know our neighbors and the larger community, this series of four gatherings focuses on one group per evening. Because there are many diverse traditions that we may invite, this has potential as an annual event and could go for a few years without repeating groups. Listening to stories of faith journey and faithful practices can evoke deeper conversations, stirring us to ask ourselves such questions as: What does this say about the Divine? What do I believe and what has led me to believe it? How does this influence how I live daily? Additionally, getting to know our neighboring faith communities helps dispel mystery and perhaps misinformation about them encouraging us to be welcoming, comfortable and hospitable. Here are the details. These Wednesday evenings in Fellowship Hall. From 5:30-6:00 p.m. will be gathering time with drinks and desserts provided by FPC. The conversation will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m. September 10 Fr. Gregory Horton from the Holy Myrrhbearing Women Orthodox Church from Naples, ID September 7 Steve Willey from the local Quaker community September 24 The local Jewish community October 1 Venerable Chonyi from the Sravasti Abbey, Tibetan Buddhist monastic community from Newport, WA I hope you, your family and friends will join us for these evenings. The conversation will be fascinating! If you are interested in helping out, please let me know. Blessings of peace, Judy Labrie, Elder

6 6 Jerry and I would like to thank our church family for the cards, prayers and outpouring of love and support since Sean s death. Sean would have been 30 years old on Thursday, September fourth. It s an exceptionally sad week for us. We should be celebrating with him, but God had other plans for our lives. There has been confusion with some church members that we would like to clear up as to the circumstances of Sean s death. His death was accidental, not a suicide, and although the distinction may not be important in the outcome it is important to us. Sean knew he was loved every minute of his life. He was depressed that things were not going better in his life but he always had hope for the future. Sean was an alcoholic, and hadn t figured out how to deal with the demon of addiction. Sean believed in Jesus and in heaven. He, like many young adults, did not attend church, and I m not sure why. He was invited often, but after years of working on the mountain on the weekends maybe his shyness was too difficult to overcome. Sean had been dry for three weeks when he died of an overdose of inhaled propellant or Dust-off. He didn t think it would kill him. He just wanted one more high. He had a weak moment that ended up in his death. Again, Jerry and I thank you. This journey would be so much more difficult without your love and prayers.

7 7 Helen Labowski will be celebrating her 90th Birthday! Please join Helen and her family on September 6th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at FPC s Fellowship Hall. Dinner will be served. Your presence is your gift. September Birthdays September 1 September 6 September 7 September 16 September 18 September 21 September 24 September 25 September 27 September 29 Sylvia Humes Tracy Koch & Shane Curtis Marge Pietsch Lynda Fleisher Jeanne Marsden Becky Feezor, Judy Labrie, Glen Sanford & Carol Ballard Karen Rockhill Margareta Larson Ann Thompson Charlene Krames & Helen Labowski

8 8 SCHOOL SUPPLIES 2014 Pencil boxes lg 7 sm 10 Plastic cube crates 4 Pencils wood 204 mechanical 105 Pens blue 72 black 78 red 2 Colored pencils 120 Highlighters 24 Dry erase markers 4 Crayons box of Markers 100 permanent 30 Notebook collage 70 sheet 30 Filler paper wide 120 sheets sheets 14 Filler paper collage 120 sheets sheets 12 Graph paper 20 sheets Combs 14 small Toothbrush 10 Toothpaste 3 travel size Handl otion 30 travel size lg 1 Wash cloth 22 Sidewalk chalk 24 Bubble & wand 2 Index cards 200 This is a listing of First Presbyterian Church collected to help the children of Southside School. Thank you for your support! Rulers plastic 3 wood 4 Erasers lg 5 sm 24 rope 10 Glue bottle 4 stick 56 Tape 8 rolls Paper clips 300 Pencil sharpener 7 Binder 1 poly 1 1 hard 8 Posterboard 5 sheets Toy truck Notebooks wide 70 sheet sheet 2

9 9 SUMMER SCENES

10 10 Calendar Announcements 9/3 & 17 Church Breakfast 8:00 a.m. at Connies Café 9/4 Session Meeting 6:00 p.m. 9/6 Helen Labowski s 90th Birthday Party, 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall 9/7 Membership Outreach Lunch following worship 9/9 PW meeting 11:45 a.m. 9/10, 17, 24 Peacemaking Discussion-5:00-7:00 p.m. & 10/1 at FPC 9/10,17, 24 Choir Practice 7:00-8:00 p.m. 9/14 Deacons Meeting 8:00 a.m. 9/14 The Bridge 2:00 p.m., Life Care 3:00 p.m. 9/20 Charlotte Bond Memorial Service 4:00 p.m., dinner following 9/21 First Sunday w/choir 10/1 Choir Practice resumes 5:30-6:30 p.m. 10/2-4 PW Annual Rummage Sale (setup on 10/2) Sunday Monday Wednesday Thursday Regular Monthly Events Worship is at 10:30 a.m. Fellowship, following service 6:00 p.m. Al-Anon 5:30 p.m. Companions in Christ on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, Church Breakfast 8:00 a.m. at Connie s Café on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 12:00 p.m. Al-Anon

11 11 First Presbyterian Church Ministers: Members and Friends Pastor Andy Kennaly 417 North Fourth Avenue, Sandpoint, Idaho Pastor cell phone: