First United Methodist Church of Tacoma March 2015

OUTREACH First United Methodist Church of Tacoma March 2015 What could 24 hours of prayer do? I don't know, but I want to find out! I have felt moved to organize a vigil where we can pray for the people and ministries of our church, and our larger community. When I shared this idea with Church Council, we decided to make it happen! As Palm Sunday marks Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week in the church calendar, it seems a great time to live the spiritual practice of prayer. You can come anytime between 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28 and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 29, with Sunday service concluding the vigil. Yes, you can come to church at 2 in the morning! There will be tools available to guide our prayers so anyone can participate, wherever you are in your life journey or age! We will also light a candle for each of us. Find a time in this 24-hour period you can come, pray, and be a part of God working within us! Sign up on the upcoming schedule at church so we can make every hour full of prayer! by Amanda Lucas 6:00 PM through March 25 Happy March Birthdays to our members and friends! Gwen Noble-Wold, 3/5 Vince Hart, 3/7 Bob L., 3/8 Maurice Lacunza, 3/21 Jesalyn Kimura, 3/22 Inside this Issue Pastor s Page... 2 Money Matters & Service Opportunities... 3 March Calendar... 4 One Great Hour of Sharing... 5 Pantry Patter... 6 Reconciling Ministries... 7 Reflections by Vince Hart... 7 Prayers & Contact Info... 8 Lights, Camera, Faith! We will be viewing the film Quiz Show on Sunday, March 1st at 5:30 pm in Room 207. This 1994 film, directed by Robert Redford, explores the theme of modern temptations. If you are able, bring a snack to share. This event is open to all adults! ~Amanda Lucas 1

Pastor s Page Religion is poetry. I came across an interview in Salon.com in which James Carse, a religious studies scholar, proposed that a belief system and a religion are not the same thing. In fact, in his book, The Religious Case Against Belief, he argues that religions start to go wrong when they become too focused on belief. * This has been on my mind for a while. I hear so many stories of people in our congregation, and in the wider community, who have been taught that belief (intellectually agreeing that something is a fact) is the most important thing in a life of Christian faith (living a life connected with God and growing to be more like Jesus Christ). The pressure to believe or to say you do has caused dishonesty, loneliness, nightmares, and deep conflict all in the name of being true to God. This cannot be the way God desires us to live out Christianity. This year at King s Books, people in our community are gathering once a month to talk about death and dying. Last month, I was invited to lead a conversation and speak about Death & the Christian tradition. A small group of thoughtful, caring, and curious people gathered. I asked them to share a bit about their connections with Christianity so that I would know how to shape my presentation. I was not the only one who had found a life-giving community in a Christian tradition. There were also two practicing Roman Catholics who had found truth and beauty and meaningful service in connection with their church. We were the distinct minority, however. One after another, people who had experienced fundamentalist Christian communities told of their deeply wounding struggles to be authentic and connected within those communities. They spoke about the relief they felt once they finally rejected those forced beliefs and named themselves atheists. Being without belief in God freed them to love themselves and their neighbors better than their experience with churches ever had! Religion does have something to do with belief. But it has much more to do with love, with trust, with experience and awe in relations to the Divine Mystery we call God. During Lent, I m preaching a series on What We Let Go and What We Let In when we re listening to Jesus and attempting to follow him. We re also gathering on Wednesday evenings at 6pm for Soup and Conversations around the So What? of Christian thought. We had 25 people gather for our talk on Creation! In coming weeks, we ll consider topics of God, Forgiveness, Wealth, and Jesus. However you are reflecting on life and meaning this Lent, may the Holy Spirit be with you. Let s grow each day toward a faith that is good news! *You can find the interview at www.salon.com/2008/07/21/james_carse/ or look on my facebook page for the link. Looking ahead to Holy Week Saturday-Sunday March 28-29: Listen for what God is calling our congregation to be by participating for one or more hours in the 24 hour Prayer Vigil (see front page) Palm/Passion Sunday, March 29 We walk with Jesus through the final week of his life from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to his arrest, torture, and death. Good Friday, April 3rd Seven Last Words Worship Service at 6:30pm Resurrection Sunday, April 5th Sunrise service at the water & 9:30 worship at First UMC. 2

MONEY MATTERS by Gretchen Engle, Finance Team Chair Last Sunday in church we had Girl Scout cookies for sale in the entryway. I remember the days when my children sold cookies, chocolate bars, and wrapping paper for school fundraisers. For my kids, making their sales quota involved taking them to some large family event, since you could practically guarantee there would be 35-40 people at an Engle family occasion! They could be all done in one fell swoop. You hope that a stewardship campaign at church can be something like that, all done in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, that s not usually the case. We have a list with holes, people whom we need to contact and check in on, and only when that is accomplished will we have a clear picture of our 2015 financial state. If you haven t completed a stewardship pledge, be thinking about how you might be able to participate through your giving. I could be calling you soon! Service Opportunities: Is this you or someone you know? Stewardship is not just about money. It s also about giving of your time. Are you wondering if there is a place for your talents? We think there is. Upload sermons (mp3 file) to our website (if you can attach a photo to Facebook, you can do this). This helps potential visitors know what sort of gospel is preached here, and also gives people who were away on Sunday another chance to hear the message. Time commitment: 20 minutes a week. Please talk to Pastor Ann if you can serve in this way. Congregational Care - are you interested in helping care for our congregation? Through prayer, cards, emails, and monthly check-ins, we can be channels of God s loving presence for one another. Please contact our Lay Leader Amanda Lucas if you would like to be a part of this team. Dishwashing/Coffee Hour clean-up this once-a-week task takes about 30 minutes, and has been faithfully done by Vince Hart for years. But now he wants to retire, and let others take this on. Can you commit to doing this once a month? Attendance Records Do you ever wonder what happens to those sign-in sheets after church on Sunday? Someone (it could be you) takes that information, fills in a database and emails it to key people. This is an important part of our ministry because it helps us connect with visitors and newcomers, and stay in touch with each other. We have a new online database that promises to make this easy! Sign up now for the PACK Retreat April 10-12, 2015 Don t miss out on the fun! This year s retreat will be at Camp Indianola, and everyone is invited, regardless of age. The cost is $50/adult and $25/child over 5. Kids under 5 are free. Meals and lodging are provided for this low, low price. The agenda will be fun, community building, games, fort building, rope swinging, hiking, eating, brainstorming, and giving thanks go God for all our blessings. We hope you ll join us! You can sign up in the church lobby, or online at: http://www.123contactform.com/form-848341/onlineevent-registration-form Questions? Talk to a PACK member! Pirates of the Puget Sound, 2014 PACK Retreat. 3

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:30 am Worship & Communion 10:45 am Retreat Planning 11 am Chr. Ed. 11:30 am Genesis 5:30 pm Lights, Camera, Faith! 8 Daylight Time: Spring Forward! 9:30 am Worship & Noisy Offering 11 am Chr. Ed. 11:30 am Genesis 2 4 pm Tent City 5 pm Pantry 6:30 pm Trustees Mtg. First United Methodist Church March 2015 3 4 10:30 am READ NWDC Book Project 6 pm Lenten Soup Supper 9 10 11 6 pm Lenten Soup Supper 5 7 pm UfPPC 7:30 pm Choir 12 7 pm PFLAG 7:30 pm Choir 6 7 9:30 am Community Forum: Corruption in Politics 4:30 pm 15 Now Tacoma (Set your clocks ahead 1 hour) 13 14 Pi Day 4:30 pm 15 Now Tacoma 15 9:30 am Worship 11 am Chr. Ed. 11 am PACK. (?) 11:30 am Genesis 2:30 pm Jim Peele Memorial Service 16 5 pm Pantry 4 pm Tent City 6:30 pm Church Council 17 18 6 pm Lenten Soup Supper 19 7 pm UfPPC 7:30 pm Choir 20 21 9 am-2015 RMN Gathering 4:30 pm 15 Now Tacoma 4:30 pm Micah Project Meal Prep 22 9:30 am Worship 11 am Chr. Ed. 11:30 am Genesis 23 24 25 6 pm Lenten Soup Supper 26 7:30 pm Choir 27 28 9:30 am Prayer Vigil begins 10:30 am Pantry 4:30 pm 15 Now Tacoma 7 pm Chamber Music Concert 29 Palm Sunday 30. 31 N-A Meets M-F @ Noon, & Sat. @ 12:00 am. Al-Anon Meets Weds. @ 5:30 pm. G-A Fridays @ 5:30 pm. The noisy offering is taken on the second Sunday of each month. The March offering is for UMCOR One Great Hour of Sharing 4

TOGETHER, WE REACH CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DEVASTATION IN THE WAKE OF DISASTER. When disaster strikes around the globe Haiti s 2010 earthquake or Hurricane Sandy of 2012 so many watching the drama unfold on our living room televisions feel entirely helpless. How could any one person make a difference in the wake of such widespread devastation? As responders around the globe scramble to help survivors, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, is prepared to act. So don t be fooled by the word committee. Since 1940, when UMCOR s forerunner was established to meet the needs of those suffering overseas at the onset of World War II, we ve continued to respond to those in desperate need today throughout more than eighty countries around the world. The response of UMCOR isn t something they do, it s something we do. When You Give You Equip Christ s Body to Serve in His Name That s because your generous giving to One Great Hour of Sharing is what allows UMCOR to act as the arms and legs of Christ s church, moving toward the most vulnerable in their darkest days. Convinced that all people have God-given worth and dignity without regard to race, religion or gender together we are assisting those impacted by crisis or chronic need. Because you give, the United Methodist Church s compassionate response to human suffering continues today: When tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, we responded When children in Zimbabwe lost parents to AIDS, we responded When a massive tsunami devastated lives in Japan, we responded And when the next mass crisis occurs, we will be prepared to respond UMCOR will be able to offer aid in Jesus name to those who suffer because United Methodists give through One Great Hour of Sharing. In fact, it s your generous giving that allows us to respond when disaster strikes. Not they. We. Sunday, March 8 Noisy Offering One Great Hour of Sharing Ensure the United Methodist Church Can Keep Helping Will you continue to give to One Great Hour of Sharing? Will you continue to meet the needs of the children, families and communities who ve experienced devastation in the wake of disaster? When we meet the needs of those who suffer we actually minister to Jesus, who said: I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me. (Mt. 25:35-36, CEB) As we respond, we recognize Jesus in those who are reeling in the wake of disaster. 5

Pantry Patter By Martha Curwen SAVE THE DATE The date for the annual Pantry fundraiser has been set for Thursday May 7, 6:00 to 7:30pm. This year we will be holding a Trivia Night. Once again it will be held in the church fellowship hall. We will serve lots of appetizers and dessert this year rather than a full dinner. Gather your friends and form a team or we will place you with a team. Come join us for a fun evening and support the work of the Pantry! Stadium Thriftway We have received lots of turkeys and hams from Stadium Thriftway, enough for 3 or 4 hot meals. It is donations such as this that keeps the cost of our hot meals down. We served a turkey dinner on February 15, then we boiled the carcasses and stripped them of whatever meat was left in preparation for making soup for another meal. Curves Food Drive It s time again for Curves membership/food drive. During the month of March, the North Tacoma Curves collects food for My Sister s Pantry. They generally collect 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of food for us. Nearby World Religions Series at Federal Way United Methodist All are invited to participate in an interfaith series entitled This I Believe: Nearby World Religions being hosted by Federal Way United Methodist. Speakers include:steve Wilhelm, on Buddhism (March 5); Mohammed Ek-Sharkawi, on Islam (March 12); Swami Bhaskarananda, on Hinduism (March 19); Ma Harjinder Sandhu, on Sikhism (March 26). Sessions will last from 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm each evening. This is a special opportunity for us to learn about faiths represented in our own neighborhoods as we build bridges of understanding and friendship between us. Our address is: 29645 51st Ave. S., Auburn, WA. For more information, call 253.839.9220. Child care will be available. Please join us! Four Corners Mission Celebrations Program with Bishop Hope Morgan Ward Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of North Carolina will visit four corners of PNW April 2015. Bishop Ward, as the Chair of Global Ministries is most knowledgeable about the state of UMC mission in this country and the world. She is also an inspiring speaker with stories as Bishop of Mississippi during and after Hurricane Katrina. Bishop Ward will come to each corner of PNW Spokane, Yakima and Salmon Creek and to a place near you. Bothell UMC Sunday April 12 4.30 pm Mission Fair 5.00 Banquet For tickets ($8/person) contact Bothell UMC or UMW or District Secretary of Global Ministries 4cornersmissioncelebrations@eventbrite.com; revkeithjoan@hotmail.com 360-696-1615 6

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK BIBLICAL OBEDIENCE CHALLENGES UM LAWS THE PERSISTENT STRUGGLE within The United Methodist church of the status and place of LGBTQIA persons took a sharp turn when our former Bishop Talbert, now retired, took a public stand for the authority of Biblical obedience above that of UMC denominational rules. Since speaking out, Bishop Talbert has also acted decisively in ways that have gotten him into trouble with many of his ecclesiastical colleagues. Now he returns to the area as a keynote speaker at the 2015 PNW-RMN GATHERING. This annual event is set for Saturday, March 21, at First UMC in Bellevue. It is a very special privilege and opportunity to have Bishop Talbert with us for the event, and there are other key resource persons on the program that day. Every local Reconciling congregation (of which FUMCOT is now one of 35) is strongly encouraged to send a strong delegation or team to the event. The program includes an excellent variety of resources and learning experiences which can strengthen the work and witness of each congregation. Full details and registration information can be found on-line at PNW-RMN.org. Bellevue First is located at: 1934 108th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, WA 98004 REFLECTIONS by Vince Hart SERMONS CAN STIR SURPRISING THOUGHTS! And such thoughts might even be from God! It is an act of faith, not absolute certainty, to believe and trust that a thought in one s mind is truly from God. Such a faith has grown strong in me across the years. One such thought popped into my mind in the middle of a recent sermon; and it came in the form of a statement being spoken to me by Another that I dare to believe is God. Everyone knows me in some fashion. I don t remember what Pastor Ann was saying which triggered the thought; but the declaration was very clear and fully relevant to what she was saying. I understood the declaration to mean EVERYONE, of whatever faith or non-faith. Many (most?) contemporary persons harbor doubts that God can be experienced directly, can be heard with an inner ear, or acts in the midst of present events. Even some Christian scholars seem to be such skeptics. To my surprise I found such skepticism in Bishop John Shelby Spong, who has done so much to help moderns to embrace the Christian faith and life. My own view is that it is absurd to believe that the Creator God of the Bible would not, or would not be able to, create humans capable of communication with their Creator, or with whom the Creator could not communicate. The issue is learning to recognize God s many forms of communication. A key text for me is Isaiah 31:31-34. Look it up. More on this next time. EXPLORING GOD S VISION OF JUSTICE SUNDAY AT 11 provides a life-and-faith enrichment opportunity week by week. Following worship and a time of fellowship, this primary adult education experience follows a rhythm each month, thus providing a diverse set of learning and discussion options. The first Sunday of each month is dedicated to the sharing of individual faith journeys, as members of the congregation share with others the highlights of their experiences of God s presence, Spirit, and direction. The other Sundays of the month offer Bible study, current issues discussions, and explorations of service opportunities in various forms and combinations. THIS MONTH will begin with Tom Fairchild telling his personal story. The next four Sundays will offer a scripture-based exploration of the meaning and character of JUSTICE in the eyes of God. Drawing from the work of a prominent 20th century Old Testament scholar, Rolf Knierem, Vince Hart will present a series of four text studies to illuminate the particular understanding of justice in the Bible. That understanding will provide a sold foundation for contemporary social action Vince Hart 7

We Offer our Prayers to God for: Our World: For victims of terrorism throughout the world, especially in France and Nigeria. For a just peace in Israel and Palestine; for our sisters and brothers in Liberia and others suffering and combating Ebola outbreaks. Our Nation: For our President, Governor and all elected officials that they may make wise decisions. For the people of Staten Island, NY, and the families of Eric Garner and Mike Brown. For true reconciliation, justice, and healing from the violence of racism and prejudice. For communities and police working together for the dignity and safety of all. For our troops and their families. For a humane and moral solution to the refugee crisis at our border. Our Community: For the new residents of the MDC apartments. For members of Epworth LeSourd as they discern how to journey through their church s closure and legacy to the community. Our Bishop: Grant Hagiya; Our Superintendent: Cara Scriven; Our Pastor: Ann Adkinson Our missionaries: Janjay Innis, Sarah Mudge, and Sarah Roemer. God s ministries through our church: Genesis Process leaders and mentors, that God will bless their preparation to accompany others in healing. Our Friends and Family: Pray for those who have requested our prayers, including Kim Crow s mother, our newest members, Daryl Freeman, Barbara Prine, Crestina Marez, LeRoy Fuller, Tim Fuller, Craig Waterbury, Charlie Cook, Jonathan R., Meredith & Renee Campbell, Bob L., Stephanie & Jeff Dunn, Kay Hart, Lottie Triplett-Fitts, Tom & Molly Fairchild and Brenda Lopez. For those who have died and those who grieve for them, especially Muriel Miller Severns and Jim Peele. Note: If there are prayers you d like added to this list, please email liz@fumcot.com CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION Pastor Ann Adkinson annadkinson@fumcot.com Office Hours: Tuesdays by appointment Thursdays 11 am-2 pm. Friday: Sabbath Day (no email; only emergency phone calls ) Church Administrator Liz Johnson liz@fumcot.com Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. to Noon Music Ministry Ryan Enis, Choir Director Norm Seidel, Keyboard Worship Visit our website ryanjamesenis@gmail.com seidelnorm@gmail.com Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. www.fumcot.com Office Phone 253-627-0129 Lay Leader: Amanda Lucas Church Lay Leadership Church Council: Jim Weis, Chair; Gail Garnas, Secretary; Amanda Lucas, SPPRC; Maurice Lacunza & Samara Dienst- Philipson, Trustees; Gretchen Engle, Finance; Ann Adkinson Finance: Gretchen Engle, Chair; Sylvia Summers, Treasurer; Martha Curwen, Secretary; finance@fumcot.com SPPRC: Matt Patera, Amanda Lucas, Jim LeGro, Sarah Roemer, Claire Rowe; spprc@fumcot.com Trustees: Samara Dienst-Philipson, Co-Chair; Maurice Lacunza, Co-Chair; Robert Summers; Jason Searls; trustees@fumcot.com This newsletter is a monthly publication of First United Methodist Church of Tacoma, located at 621 Tacoma Ave South, Tacoma, WA 98402. To update your contact information or remove your name from our mailing list, please contact us at: outreach@fumcot.com or call 253-627-0129. 8