e

h
T
Vol.
No. 2
The65,Christian

Courier

Bellingham
First Christian
February
2015
Courier The
Christian
CourierChurch
The Christian Courier
The
C

Thank you so much for the gifts.

It really makes the holiday
season not so gloomy.
I appreciate your generosity and
kindness.

Angel Tree Family #46

Thank you for your graciousness

and generosity during the holiday
season. You blessed our hearts
and our hearths.
With love from your church staff,

Pastor Gary, Tamalyn,

Mary Ann, and Amelia

To the Members of the Congregation:

Thank you so much for your generous
Christmas gift. Working with the Bell Choir
is truly a labor of love for me. I am so
grateful for the hard work and dedication of
the Bell Choir members and for your words
of encouragement and appreciation.

God bless you.

Crystal, Hannah, Jake, Jazz,

Alden, Zoey, Izaiah, and Elah

It is with very warm hearts and deep gratitude

that we thank you, our church family, for the
support you have given us in recent weeks. We
have so greatly enjoyed our family meals at
Anthonys Hearthfire Grill. And, of course, we
so appreciate your prayers, cards, and the love
you have extended as we grieve the loss of
Tamalyns father.
With love from,

Love and Blessings,

Judy Bayless

Thank you so very much for your

kindness and helping my family have
a merry Christmas.

!
!

the Kralman-Shoemaker Clan

Gary, Tamalyn, Brett,
Zach, Megan, & Baby Ben

Message from the Pastor

First Christian Church

Shoes News

(Disciples of Christ)
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
360.734.6820
office@bellinghamdisciples.org
www.bellinghamdisciples.org

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

A movement for wholeness in a fragmented
world. As part of the one body of Christ, we
welcome all to the Lords Table as God
welcomed us.
All of Us
Ministers
Rev. Gary Shoemaker
Pastor
gary@bellinghamdisciples.org
Mary Ann Teeters
Finance/Membership Administrator
maryann@bellinghamdisciples.org
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman
Director of Ed. & Community Outreach
Courier Editor
tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org
Amelia Nye
Accompanist
TBD
Childcare Provider
Rev. Sandy Messick
Regional Minister
Rev. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President

Sunday Schedule
9:30 a.m.
10:50 a.m.
11 a.m.
12:15 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
2 p.m.

Sunday School
Gathering Time
Worship
Fellowship Time
Out-to-Lunch Bunch
(4th Sunday)
Someone Cares! Community Meal
(2nd Sunday)

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - noon
Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the
week. Please feel free to stop by during their office
hours or make an appointment that fits your
schedule.

Officers

Don Hoffman, Chair

Megan Shoemaker, Secretary
Cheryl Perry, Treasurer

Teaching the Faith

I just returned from teaching a couple of classes at Squalicum
High School. It's always an interesting time and I always get a
little nervous before launching into it. I go to the school to
represent Liberal or Progressive Christianity in a class on
Comparative Religions. They also have someone who comes to
talk about Conservative Christianity as well as the Catholic
perspective. And of course, they have representatives from other
Religions as well.
One of the comments I often hear is that students didn't know
there was such a variety of perspectives within Christianity. Most
people view Christianity as a monolithic entity, where everyone
within the church pretty much agrees with everyone else on the
beliefs and rules and opinions about social issues. I think they'd
find our church to be a very different sort of place where we hold
a variety of opinions on a variety of issues - and yet still have a
love for one another and have formed a community of love.
Our form of Christianity is a refreshing option for many people
who have given up on the church. A lot of people have been
turned off by the form of Christianity that seems to be more
judgement oriented than accepting.
I have found that the
students are pretty eager to hear about followers of Jesus who are
attempting to live out his teachings and his way of love and
acceptance. I hope that describes us. I have been moved by your
ability to welcome people who have a variety of challenges and
people who are different from the majority. You model the Jesus
way pretty well.
I think it's important to get that message out there, because there
really are a whole lot of people who need to find a church like
ours, but they don't know that it exists. My fear is that we'll slowly
fade away while there are a great many people who would love to
be part of a community like ours.
What can we do to change that? How can we get the message
out there? How can we connect with people who are looking for
just such a church as ours? What can you do to reach out to
friends and neighbors?
I don't necessarily have all the answers, but together, perhaps, we
can come up with some ideas. In the meantime, let people know
about us... you might just make a person's day!
Pastor Gary

February 2015

News from the Pews

Heart Health

Nurses Notes

Fe b r u a r y i s h e a r t h e a l t h
month.
This article follows
that theme with some brief
information about the heart
and ideas to keep it healthy.

The heart is a hollow muscular

organ with four chambers.
The heart is basically a pump
for the circulatory system as the blood, deoxygenated and
oxygenated, flow into and out of the heart to nourish
tissues and organs.
Why do we need to promote heart health? Heart disease
is the number one cause of death in men and women.
According to the latest estimates by the American Heart
Association, over 64 million Americans have one or more
forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fortunately, there
are ways to significantly lower the chances of developing
heart disease and reverse the effects of a current heart
condition. With a few lifestyle changes, along with a heart
healthy diet and exercise regimen, one can maintain a
healthy heart for life. Much can be done to influence heart
health and its never too late to start.
Cholesterol matters
High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk
factors for coronary artery disease, heart attack, and
stroke. As blood cholesterol rises, so does risk of coronary
heart disease. High blood pressure, diabetes, and high
cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease even more.
When too much LDL (bad) cholesterol circulates in the
blood it can slowly build up in the arteries that feed the
heart and brain, forming a plaque, a thick, hard deposit
that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible.
If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack
or stroke can result. High blood pressure and tobacco
smoke increases the risk for heart disease. Cholesterol
levels can be affected by age, family health history, and
diet. The American Heart Association recommends that all
adults age 20 or older have a fasting lipoprotein profile
every five years. This test is done after a 9-12 hour fast
without food, liquids or pills. The test gives information
about the total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, and
triglycerides.
Total cholesterol levels include: less than 200 mg/dl
(desirable); 200-230 mg/dl (borderline high); 240mg/dl
(high risk).

Joys and Concerns

of Our Congregation
Please submit written requests to update this list.
New to Our List:
The people of France affected by the violence there
The people of Nigeria affected by the violence there
Pray for those who lack compassion, kindness,
and peace
Nancy, daughter of Mary Ann Teeters, as she recovers
from a bilateral mastectomy
Chuck Page, as he recovers from a recent stroke
Helen Blaney, as she recovers from a broken femur
and follow-up surgery and Jim Blaney, as he recovers
from a bout of pneumonia
The family of Idella Peterson, who passed away
Dec. 19
The family of Donnell Kralman (Tamalyns father),
who passed away Dec. 27
The family of Bob Crim, who passed away Jan. 6
Ongoing:
Ethan Powers, 8 year old great grandson of Bob and
Marian Crim, who is having difficulty with anti-rejection
meds following his bone marrow transplant
Marian Overcash, as she recovers from a broken hip
and hip replacement surgery and Marians youngest
son, who has cancer
The people of West Africa, who are overwhelmed by
the spreading ebola virus
Joanne Harrell, health concerns
Virginia Haldeman, recovering from hip surgery
Bob Fisher, treatment in progress
Neilan Hart, five year-old friend of the Pages, now in
remission
Donna Fairchild, health concerns
Disciples House Residents, past, present and future
Iglesia de Dios, as together we share Gods love
Raices Culturales and the children in their gardening
program in our field
Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana
Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister
Rev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President
Our General Church ministries
Yakama Christian Mission
Refugees around the world
All troops involved in world conflict
Peacemakers worldwide

Obesity
Obesity means having a high amount of extra body fat.
The most useful measurement of weight and obesity is the
total body mass index (BMI). BMI is based on height and
weight and is used for adults and children and teens.
Millions of Americans (and worldwide) are overweight or diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and certain
obese. This puts people at risk for many diseases. The cancers.
Factors affecting weight include environment,
more body fat one carries around, the more likely one is at family history and genetics, metabolism, behavior, and
risk to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2
Continued on page 4

February 2015

A Report to the Congregation

Last August First Christian Church
embarked upon an ambitious project of
serving a once-a-month community
meal to any of our Bellingham neighbors
who might wish to enjoy a good meal.
Since then six meals have been served
and the numbers of our guests have been growing. We, the
Community Meals Task Force which plans these meals,
decided to name the meal time, Someone Cares!. We
sought feedback and support from the congregation before
we began.
Meals generally consist of some type of casserole, salad,
bread or rolls, desserts, and drinks.
We also served a
complete turkey dinner with trimmings in November and our
friends the Seventh Day Church prepared the December
meal. Through donations, warm hats, scarves, and mufflers
have been available for guests to take with them.
An
expansion to a more complete clothing bank is now in
progress.
Numbers of guests have ranged from about 10 at our first
meal in August to about 40-50 in later months. There is a
continuing need in the Bellingham community for available
free meals.
You, the congregation, have been wonderful supporters of
this project. You have donated money for food and supplies,
and continue to do so; you have offered your time and
efforts to cook, set-up, clean-up, greet, and knit. You have
been at meals to socialize with our guests and make them
feel welcome. In short, you have been amazing stewards of
this mission as our church continues to grow in its awareness
of needs in our community. Thank you for all you have done
and will continue to do!
Meals will be continue to be served the second Sunday of
each month, from 2-3:30 p.m. Help is always needed.
Community Meals Task Force
Ann Hall
Tamalyn Kralman
Bruce Radtke
Megan Shoemaker

Nurses Notes, contd from page 3

habits. Some factors can not be changed but others
can be, such as lifestyle, diet and exercise. Reaching
and staying at a healthy weight is a longterm challenge but it is a way to lower risk of serious
health problems and a way to promote physical and
spiritual wholeness.
Diet and Fitness
The type of diet and level of exercise affect heart
health. The American Heart Association recommends
a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity
exercise three to four days per week. Many studies
have shown that making improvements and
maintaining physical fitness will significantly lower risk
of developing heart disease and other diseases.
Regular exercise keeps the body in a healthy
condition, and a healthy body can ward off disease
much better than an unconditioned one.
Following a heart healthy diet includes limiting intake
of trans fats and hydrogenated oils found in
margarine, fast foods, and fried foods.
Limiting
refined sugar intake from cakes, cookies, candy, etc. is
important to heart health. Using extra virgin olive and
garlic in cooking can lower cholesterol. Omega 3 fatty
acids added to the diet are helpful. Exercise, portion
control and eating only when hungry in addition to
avoiding excessive snacking and mindless choices of
foods are good ways to maintain cardiac health.
Weight management (avoid "diets") involves our mind
(why we eat) and lifestyle changes must last over a
lifetime to be effective.
Refer to the American Heart Association and your
health care provider for information about your
personal heart health needs.
Reflection: Our good earth, others, and our very
bodies have origin from the sacred energy of God, and
as such require good stewardship, good management
in order for the greatest health to be achieved and
maintained.
Jane Kletka, RN FCN
Parish Nurse

Preach the Good Word or Sing a Fine Tune

Have you ever fancied yourself to be a worship leader? A
preacher? A song leader? But you just dont feel
comfortable leading a large gathering? Perhaps a tiny
congregation of extremely grateful, welcoming, loving folks
is more your style?
Members of our congregation lead worship for a small
gathering of lovely folks at Spring Creek Retirement Center
at 1:30 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month.
Please contact Mary Ann Teeters if you would like to assist
with this vital ministry.

Updating Your Wardrobe

Most of us have clothes in our closets
that we havent worn in oh, so very long.
Its time to glean. Please bring gently
used, clean clothing to the church for
Josephs Closet, which we hope to
open to the public by the end of February.
We will also need volunteers to attach the hardware
to the walls, sort the clothing, and run the clothes
closet. Please contact the church office to volunteer
or for more info.

With the price of everything else going up these days,

arent you glad the Lord hasnt increased the tithe to 15%?
4

February 2015

Be a Part of the Ministries of First Christian, Bellingham

In an effort to follow the teachings of Jesus and to learn more about the One who sent him, we study, learn, work, and
play together. If you would like to learn more about the goings-on of First Christian Church, Bellingham or would like to
become a part of the ministries here, please sign up in the fellowship, contact one of our staff members, or call or email
the church office for more information.

Are there small groups?

Theres a Place for Everyone

at First Christian Church!

For Women
Esther Group, 3rd Monday of the month,
location TBD
Womens Spirituality Groups meet independently.
Please contact the office for info.
For Men
Mens Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Sat. at Dennys
For Young(ish) Adults
Wild Goose Worship, 6:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd
Tuesdays, in the church library
For Inquiring Minds
Pub Theology, 6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursdays, local
pubs and coffee houses
For Bookworms
The Book Group meets at 7 p.m., 4th
Sundays, in Room B.

How Do I Get Involved?

Sign up in the fellowship hall or contact one of our staff members if you have an interest in helping in the following FCC
ministries:
Hospitality:
Bring flowers for worship
Host fellowship time
Be a Sunday morning greeter
Worship:
Be a scripture reader
Plan/create special services
Participate in bell and/or chancel choir

Education
Teach/participate in a class
Plan/lead a special program/event
Outreach
Someone Cares! Community Meal
Josephs Closet (clothing for those in need)
Lead worship at Spring Creek
Bring socks for S.O.S.
Serve or make sandwiches for CAST

Interfaith Coalitions March 28 Hope Auction

Lifting Up Our Neighbors With Homes, Warmth and Hope
Its an evening of fun and community spirit, all to support our neighbors in need of homes, warmth and hope. Our
Interfaith Coalition Hope Auction is a lively and inspiring event you wont want to miss --- and we need your help!
If you can donate a homemade craft or art item, a service your business offers, weekend or vacation home getaways, gift
cards, tickets to concerts, a themed party or specially-prepared dinner, then you have something valuable to offer!
Interfaith provides homes for families with nowhere to go, offers warm shelter for homeless men and women on the
coldest nights, and delivers hope in the face of despair. Your donations to our auction help assist these vulnerable people.
Be sure to get your tickets ($45 each, including a plated dinner) before we sell output together a table of your fellow
congregation membersget creative with a special donationknow you are helping change lives. Interfaith Coalitions
March 28 auction begins at 5:30 p.m. at Best Western Lakeway Inn.
To donate an auction item, purchase auction tickets or for more information, please call us at 734-3983, or contact Brenda
Riseland, your representative on the Interfaith Coalition board.
Laura Harker
Executive Director
Interfaith Coalition

February 2015

Whos on First?!

February

Sunday, February 1
Elders: Melody Hoffman (O), John Riseland (C)
Lock-Up: John Riseland
In Home Communion: Leslie Pinkston &
Brenda Riseland
Deacons: Sandy Grant, Mary Ann Teeters
Reader: Nancy Langford
Greeter: Jane Kletka
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: Elders (Brenda & Lillian)
Sunday, February 8
Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), Brenda Riseland (C)
Deacons: Marian Overcash, Linda Heyne,
Ardythe Hannah
Reader: Lillian Moir
Greeter: Connie Page
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, February 15
Elders: Lillian Moir (O), Joe Plancich (C)
Deacons: Lois Oswalt, Pat Whitney, Connie Page
Reader: Melody Hoffman
Greeters: Schmidling Family
Flowers: TBD
Fellowship Time: TBD
Sunday, February 22
Elders: Don Hoffman (O), Margaret Brown (C)
Deacons: Lynn Plancich, Kathy Wheeler, Jayne
Witman
Reader: Don Hoffman
Greeter: Mary Ann Teeters
Flowers: Esther Group
Fellowship Time: Esther Group

Happy Birthday:
Linda Nunamaker
Mary Lee Wiser
Cris Botts
Velma McDonald
Brenda Riseland
Phyllis McKinnon
Lynn Plancich
Margaret Brown
Mason Stanbro

1
2
4
7
10
11
16
17
18

Gaylen Udo
Leslie Pinkston
Megan Shoemaker
Amie Naidu Preau

22
25
26
26

Happy Anniversary:
Ralph & Bea Gilfilen
5

This Months Lectionary

Sunday, February 1
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28

Sunday, February 15
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 9:2-9

Sunday, February 8
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39

Sunday, February 22
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

Wild Goose Worship

Meeting at 6:30 p.m., first and third Tuesdays in the church
library, this is an alternative worship experience designed for
young(ish) adults (or those in transitional stages of life) who
who want that spiritual experience AND a faith community
without all the rigamarole of traditional church.

Mens Breakfast
All men are invited to meet at Dennys, 7:30 a.m. each
Saturday for fellowship and food. A sense of humor is
encouraged!

Pub Theology

Checking-In Group

A group for inquiring minds, Pub Theology meets

third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. in local pubs and
coffee houses. Contact the office or check
website for next location.

This group meets at 5:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each

month and is an opportunity to talk about life! Location to be
determined. Please contact the church office for more info.

February 2015

Calendar

February 2015
Sunday

Monday

Seahawks
Superbowl Sunday
9:30a Sun. School
10:50a Gathering Time
11a
Worship
12:15p Fellowship Time
1:30 p Spring Creek
Worship

6:30 p.m.
Wild Goose
Worship

6p Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal

10

Saturday
6

11

17

Courier Deadline

18

5:30 p.m.
Pastoral
Relations
Committee

12

13

7:30a Elders Mtg

9:30a Sun. School
10:50a Gathering Time
11a
Worship
12:10 p Congregational
Meeting
12:15p Fellowship Time
1:30p Spring Creek
Worship

Noon
Esther Group

Noon
Bible Study

6:30 p
Stewardship
Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Wild Goose
Worship

14

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

19

20

Ash
Wednesday

Week of Compassion
Begins

7
7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal

Noon
Bible Study

16

Friday

Bulletin
deadline
Noon
Bible Study

9:30a Sun. School

10:50a Gathering Time
11a
Worship
12:15p Fellowship Time
2p
Someone Cares
Community Meal

15

Wednesday Thursday
Wednesday

Tuesday

21

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

Bulletin
deadline
5:30 p.m .
Prayer Vigil
for Peace in
the Middle
East, Garden
Street, UMC
6:30 p.m.
Pub Theology,
Copper Hog

6:30 p.m.
Ash Wed.
Worship
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal

22

23

24

First Sunday in Lent

Week of Compassion
Ends
9:30a Sun. School
10:50a Gathering Time
11a
Worship
12:15p Fellowship Time
12:30 p Out-to-Lunch
Bunch
7p
Book Group

February 2015

Noon
Bible Study

25

Bulletin
deadline
6p Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p Chancel
Choir
Rehearsal

26

5p Checking
in Group

27

28

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)
A church of grace and welcome for all!
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226-9168

PERIODICALS POSTAGE AT
Bellingham, WA 98226-9168
USPS 0589-870

The Christian Courier (USPS

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Bakerview Road, Bellingham, WA
98226-9168. PERIODICALS
POSTAGE paid at Bellingham, WA
98226-9997

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to The Christian Courier, 495 East
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Save the Dates

Sun., March 29 Palm Sunday
Thurs., April 2

Maundy Thursday

Fri., April 3

Good Friday

Sun., April 5

Easter

Sat., April 1

Board Meeting, 10 a.m.

Christianity's goal is not escape

from this world. It loves this world
and seeks to change it for the
better.
Marcus J. Borg, Speaking Christian: Why
Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and
Power - And How They Can Be Restored

Contact Us
Office

office@bellinghamdisciples.org
360.734.6820

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First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)
Bellingham, WA