1. Art and Diseño

FIRST UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH OF
BELLEVUE
1934 108th Ave NE
Bellevue WA 98004
Phone: 425-454-2059
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.fumcbellevue.org
Sunday Worship
10:00 am
Sunday School and
nursery care is
available.
Rev. Steve Tarr,
Pastor
Nancy Berry,
Congregational
Care
Laurie Edwards,
Children and
Families
Judy Allen,
Director of
Communications
Gay Norman,
Office Manager
The Clarion
Volume 21 Issue 1
January 29, 2015
From the Pastor
Late last year our church’s Leadership Council authorized trial use of a new
purpose statement. The entire document from which they worked is on our
website. The key phrase, however, is this: it says that we believe we are
called by God to be “a community for others.”
There are three reasons why I think this is a great purpose statement for us:
1. “A community for others” is brief. Out of a desire to be as comprehensive as possible, churches often come up with mission statements
that are too long to be remembered. Not so this one. It is designed
to be recalled easily even by children.
2. “A community for others” invites further conversation. From just four
words we get the opportunity to talk about what our community is;
who forms it; how we support each other; our ways of reaching out
beyond ourselves and much else. This is particularly useful when trying to connect with those outside our congregation.
3. “A community for others” reflects the self-understanding that we identified last spring. In response to questions posed by the Beta vitality
team we said that our connections with each other and with God
were the most important aspects of our church relationship. A number of us also said that reaching out in hospitality and service were
key as well.
Continued on page 2
Making Young Families a
Priority in 2015
Our congregation has great
momentum with families, a history of
strong multi-generational programming and motivated staff. To continue our momentum, however, we
need to increase the number of
young families we serve and
broaden our impact in the community. We can’t do this alone.
Continued on page 3
Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Dinner,
February 17
Mark your
calendars for
Shrove Tuesday,
February 17 from
6 pm to 7:30 pm. Tickets are $4 for
children and $6 for adults; families
are $15. Come prepared to dance
to the sounds of the Coal Creek Jazz
Band and make an “alleluia”. Then
eat pancakes, take part in the great
Pancake Relay and help bury the
alleluias!
Continued on page 8
Page 2
Volume 21 Issue 1
Adult Christian Formation
Monday Study Group
Lenten Bible Study
Beginning Monday, February 23
at 6 pm, we begin a new 7week video-based Bible study,
The God We Can Know, to explore the “I am” sayings of Jesus
found in the Gospel of John.
This year’s Lenten Bible Study
One by one, Jesus’s statements
grab our imagination, reveal
more about his identity and purpose, and connect us to the
God of Moses, who spoke the first “I am.” These
significant, yet ordinary images (bread, light,
shepherd, vine, and more) give us insightful
ways to experience Jesus and point us to a God
who wants to be known.
through March 3, 27, 24 noon –
The DVD, filmed on location in the Holy Land,
allows you to travel with author Rob Fuquay and
actually see the places where Jesus stood while
disclosing his true identity, and in what context
he spoke each “I Am.”
will be on the book How is it
with Your Soul? by Priscilla Pope
-Levison and Jack Levison. Join
us Tuesdays, February 24
1:30 in the parlor. Please join us;
everyone is invited!
The Wired Word
The Wired Word is bible lessons based on current
events. Provocative and intelligent questions
lead participants to discover how scripture can
be applied to modern life. All are welcome.
If you’d like to order a participant book for
approx. $7.50, there will soon be a sign-up sheet
in the office.
Book Discussion Group
Sermon Discussions, Sundays at 11 am
16th to discuss The Devil in the
Join the group on February
This dynamic participant-led discussion group
White City by Erik Larson. The
will take an in-depth look at the week’s scripture
February meeting will be held
and sermon in a setting where questions are
in a private home. Please call
okay and applying the teachings to everyday
Jean Walker for details if you
lives is encouraged. Everyone is invited.
would like to attend.
From the Pastor, continued from page 1
Starting February 22nd “A community for others” will be our focus in worship. We will look at the
yearning we have to connect with other people and God’s dream for our future, as well as how to
handle our differences and how to reach out to others. I invite you to come and involve yourself in
those services. Even more I invite you to try the purpose statement on for size. Is this a good way of
describing our church? Can we see ourselves living into what it asks of us?
Grace and Peace,
Steve
Page 3
Volume 21 Issue 1
Making Young Families a Priority, continued from page 1
We need you, each and every one of you, to help grow that
ministry. EVERYONE is being asked to support our young
family ministries in at least two ways, appropriate to your
abilities, this year: save toilet paper rolls; teach Sunday
School; volunteer at VBA; provide lunch for the confirmation
class; save 1-liter soda bottles; donate funds for camp
scholarships; support church leaders through prayer; invite a
neighbor or grandchild to an event; etc.
All committees will be focusing on young families at the top of
their agenda each month, looking at all of their decisions
through the lens of how would their actions affect young
families.
A task force, led by our pastor, has been established for this
one year. Their first tasks are to determine the characteristics of young families in our area,
then to determine what our church has to contribute to young families. Finally, they will be
tasked with finding sustainable, congregation-wide ways of connecting with young families.
If you have ideas or suggestions, or want to get more involved, please see Laurie Edwards or Pastor
Steve. Remember that Jesus gave us this charge:
Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life…I’ll be with you as you do
this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19 The Message
Did You Know...
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A potluck will be held February
1st following worship. The theme
is Heart Healthy Foods or organic
ingredients. See page 9 for more
details.
The Christmas offering raised
$3,500 to help support Eastside
Baby Care, Atlantic Street Center and Mary’s
Place. Thank you for your generosity!
If you get the Clarion by e-mail, you should
also be getting The Weekly Connection, our
e-mail newsletter. If you don’t find it in your
in-box, check your spam or junk folder. Tell
Gay if you want to receive this short and
informative newsletter.
The January Mission of the Month had a goal
to support the purchase of 250 bus passes for
homeless youth. We exceeded that target
and raised enough to buy 315 passes!
The third Sunday loose change offering
brought in $141 for Emergency Feeding.
The FUMC Bag Ladies report that they have
now sent over 7,000 school bags to the Sager
Brown Relief Depot. This is a real testament to
what a few dedicated people can do. Way
to go!
Save the Date!
All-church camping trip
Friday to Sunday, June 5th - 7th
Fort Flagler State Park (near Port Townsend on
the Olympic Peninsula)
RV’s, trailers and tents all welcome! There are
even some vacation homes still available at the
park for those who prefer that option and act
quickly. Clamming, crabbing, boating, hiking,
campfires, whittling, fort building, laughter,
games and a worship service! Fun for all ages.
Volume 21 Issue 1
Page 4
Children, Youth and Families
Making a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord!
Christian Formation
Christian faith grows
and is nourished through
Bible stories, prayer,
and community with
other children. Join us
for a fun, faith filled
experience!
Nursery Care is
available for children
through three-years-old
in the nursery downstairs. Please check
your child in, leave a
number for your mobile
(on vibrate) in case we
need to contact you.
Busy Bags and
Children’s Bulletins are
available for children
who choose to stay in
worship.
During Worship:
Sunday School is
available for all children
and youth. Preschool
and elementary students
tart in worship with
their families, enjoy
Children’s Time, and
then leave with their
teacher. Youth (6th
grade and up) stay in
worship until after the
sermon and then meet in
the parlor for a scripture/sermon discussion.
New Service, New Joys!
Going to one service has been a joyous
change for the children. Now ALL of us
are together each Sunday, with the Korean children, learning about Jesus and
living our lives with God.
Because we are all together at the same
time we are able to offer more agespecific classes.
 Our youngest children enjoy the
nursery with Gretchen.
 4 year olds through 2nd graders have
their own class focused on Bible stories, crafts, games and the application of those stories to their lives.
Cindy Bendixen, Anika Dubois, Susan
Ramsey and Lise Richardson are their
teachers.
 3rd—5th graders now get to meet in
what used to be “the big kids’ classroom”. What a thrill! Laurie Edwards
and Brieanne Allen are working with
these children learning how to live
their lives more fully engaged with
God’s teachings.
 Youth are congregating in the parlor,
immediately following the sermon, to
dive into the sermon and the scripture a little more deeply.
If you want to be a part of the joy, volunteer to teach or help in the nursery
(see Laurie Edwards) or to be a roamer
(see Phyllis Borland). There’s plenty of
joy to go around!
Vacation Bible Adventure, 2015
Monday—Friday
July 13—17
9 - 11:30 am
Kids will experience God’s unstoppable
love and discover how to fuel up and move
through life with God. Mark your calendar now and plan to join the fun!
And, while you have your calendar out,
save these dates, too!
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6 pm
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Celebration and Worship Buy
a ticket ($6/$4) for you and a
friend
Sunday, February 22, 11 am
PB and J Giveaway Day
Come help make sandwiches
to help others
March Sundays
Children/ Youth Choir practices
after church.
Saturday, March 28, 10 am - 1 pm
“Bloom Where You Are Planted”
Native plants and Native American traditions of honoring the
earth; the children’s program
offered as part of the annual
Gardening Seminar.
Confirmation Happenings
We have three confirmands: Delaney
Edwards, Jaelin Gates and Grace
Park. They’ve chosen their
mentors and gotten down to work
studying the Bible, God and Jesus.
Soon they’ll visit Mt. Zion Baptist Church
to enjoy that worship experience
and in April they will be
“retreating”. Please plan to attend Confirmation Sun., May 17.
Volume 21 Issue 1
Page 5
The Work Bench, an Update from the Trustees
Sanctuary Seating Change Made Permanent
At its January meeting, Leadership Council determined that the revised
seating arrangement in the sanctuary is working well and that there is
no need to keep the pews that were removed. Our temporary use permit for the container in which the removed pews are stored expires at
the end of February so the Trustees are busily looking for a new home
for the extra pews. If you know of a church that may be interested in
taking up to eight 16 foot long pews, please tell Dave Edwards or one of
the other Trustees as soon as possible.
Evaluation of the revised seating arrangement also revealed a suggestion that permanent spaces for people with walkers or wheelchairs be
made available at the front and middle of the sanctuary. The Trustees
will address this suggestion by removing one chair from the outer ends
of the second row of chairs and by replacing one of the middle pews
with a shorter pew, thereby
giving people with walkers or wheelchairs choices of seating
locations at the front, middle and back of the sanctuary. It
was suggested that the last two rows of pews be replaced
with chairs to allow greater flexibility for activities and events
that occur at the back of the sanctuary and in the Parlor.
Consideration of that suggestion continues.
Water Leak Repair
Investigation of the source of the water damage in the main level men’s room is progressing. After
placing plastic sheeting over several locations on the roof and the siding, we’re honing in on the
source of the leak. It’s a slow process, but the investigation appears to show that the leak is in the
siding on the south wall of the Sanctuary and not the roof. We’re doing a bit more testing and will
then get bids to repair the damaged siding, structural elements and interior wall. Your continued
patience and understanding are appreciated.
Cell Tower Update
The permit application for AT&T’s planned cell tower appears to be nearing completion so announcement of the proposed project to the neighbors and general public will likely be forthcoming
soon. That will include placement of a Notice of Development sign at the front of the church. AT&T’s
consultants are handling the permitting and public participation process. The church is the landlord
for the proposed cell tower, but AT&T is the project developer. Nonetheless, we may receive negative feedback about the project from neighbors or others that oppose having a cell tower in the
neighborhood. Questions and concerns should be directed to Dave Edwards.
German Language School Update
The Eastside German Language School (EGLS) has had a successful transition from their previous
home at the Factoria Unitarian Church to FUMCB and is now looking to expand their offerings. They
have asked us to consider renting space for a German-language focused preschool that would
meet two weekday mornings beginning next fall. A task force, led by Sheri Yeatts, is evaluating that
request. EGLS is also exploring the possibility of offering two weeks of German language summer
camp at FUMCB.
Volume 21 Issue 1
Page 6
Outreach
Your Chance to Help Others
Mission of the Month
Crossroads Feeding Program
Globally, over 700
The fourth Monday
of every month,
Jerry Crowson
prepares a chili,
cornbread, salad
and dessert dinner
for 40 to 75
people at Crossroads in Bellevue. You can help by prepping
the meal with Jerry, serving, or making a
dessert. Your are invited to join Jerry and crew
to have fun while helping others February 23.
million people lack
access to clean
water. A child dies
every minute from
water related disease.
Women and children
spend about 200 million hours per day collecting water, a lot of it not
safe. Over 1 billion people practice open defecation. During February, we will learn more
about this problem, the Methodist Church’s
response, and how we can help.
Contact Jerry, or the church office, for more
information. Please remember the Crossroads
feeding program in your prayers.
PB & J Give-Away Day
Hands-On Mission Project Sunday, February 22
Join the fun making peanut butter and jelly sack lunches immediately following the service. Some of the lunches will then be delivered, on a little red wagon, through downtown Bellevue bringing
more visibility to our church’s commitment to others. Sack lunches
will also be taken to Mary’s Place, a shelter for homeless women
and children in Seattle, for their kids’ school lunches on Monday.
A community for others
making a difference one sandwich at a time!
Rummage Sale is Coming!
Yes, you read that right. Despite rumors to the contrary, the
rummage sale sponsored by the Mission and Outreach Team is
coming back May 1-2. All of the proceeds from this event will go to
support the outreach ministries of our church, although his year’s
event will be smaller. Donations of good used items will be
accepted beginning March 1.
There are, however, some caveats to all of the above. In order to
make this happen, volunteers are needed. The work will involve the usual behind the scenes tasks of
sorting, pricing, storing, etc. Lael O’Neal, our resident rummage sale queen, says we need at least
ten volunteers willing to spend six hours a month for the months of March and April. For a variety of
reasons, the team that pulled together our last rummage sale has dwindled. Unless we get commitments for these volunteers by February 15, the Mission and Outreach Team will have to cancel the
sale. If you can volunteer, or have questions about what might be involved, please contact Lael or
the church office.
Volume 21 Issue 1
Page 7
RWelcomeMat
The team has a number of activities scheduled for 2015. We welcome new members with suggestions of how we can be more welcoming as a church community. We meet the first Wednesday of
every month at 7 pm. Below are some dates to put on your calendar:
Saturday March 21, 2015. The Gathering. Our church will host the Pacific
Northwest Reconciling Ministries conference. Four members from
Bellevue attended last year at Des Moines UMC. It was a wonderful opportunity for networking and education about our reconciling commitment that we made over 19 years ago. Look for upcoming information.
Keynote speakers: Dr. Jennifer Bird and Bishop Melvin Talbert.
Sunday June 28th, 2015. Seattle Pride Parade. We will again participate
with 13 (and counting) other Methodist congregations. If you don’t want
to walk the parade route there are other ways to participate. Person the
booth in the Seattle center or hand out cookies at the end of the parade route at First Church in Seattle. Four members from our congregation attended last year. It was
AWESOME…don’t miss out this year.
Saturday November 21, 2015 Transgender Day of Remembrance. We will host the Eastside remembrance ceremony.
May 10-20 2016 General Conference: Portland Oregon. Ten days of Biblical Obedience.
Parents’ Reconciling Network Stole Project. Want to help with the goal of making 2000 rainbow
colored stoles to hand out at General Conference? Contact Alice Morris
RWelcomeMat committee members: Abby Eagleson, Brieanne Allen, Cindy Bendixen, Jack Borland,
Phyllis Borland, Laurie Edwards, Kathy Kugler, Judy Meredith, Alice Morris, Darlene Pollard, Marlene
Stevens, Steve Tarr, Jean Walker
Finance Committee Update for 2014 & 2015
2014 was a good year – total revenues were greater than budgeted by
$4,000, primarily due to increased facility use fees, and expenses were some
$16,000 less than budgeted. The year started with a faith budget that indicated a $34,000 loss. Thanks to the increased revenues and
reduced expenses, the year ended with only a $14,000 loss, which was
funded with the overages that have accumulated from the previous two years.
2015 also promises to be a good year. The Trustees have done a fantastic job of making our space
available to other non-profit organizations when we are not using it. As a result, facility use fees will
increase enough that the staff will receive a well-deserved 5% increase. Once again we have a
faith budget that indicates a potential loss of $24,000, and, based on previous years’ experience, it
is expected that revenues will be slightly higher and expenses a bit lower, so that by the end of the
year the actual budget will be close to being balanced.
Volume 21 Issue 1
Page 8
Beta Vitality
The Beta Vitality team hopes you’ve been able to attend our First Sunday
of the Month Potlucks. We’ve had great food and wonderful fellowship.
The next Potluck is Sunday, February 1. There’s another event later Sunday
afternoon, but you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy some food and fellowship while you get ready to root for a Seahawk victory. The theme for the
potluck is green. Try to incorporate ingredients that are organic or environmentally friendly (one example would be locally sourced) or green in color.
In recognition of Heart Healthy February your dish can also be Heart
Healthy. Some of the nurses (and retired nurses) in our community will offer
free blood pressure checks as further support for Heart Healthy February. Plan to get ready for the
Super Bowl by joining us at 11:15 for food, fellowship and a blood pressure check.
Going forward, Beta Vitality will support the Young Family Task Force as they prepare an initiative for
the community. Beta Vitality will help present the initiative to the full community in a holy conferencing forum. Look for more details in coming months.
United Methodist Women
The Seattle District Leadership Development Program, Energizing to Serve,
will be at Lake Washington UMC on February 7. Our UMW has been asked to provide
food for the continental breakfast beginning at 8 am. Please call Mitzi Karg 425-883-8146
or Betty Bruning 425-883-6843 if you would like to attend and/or help with the food. UMW
pays the registration fee.
UMW Circle will meet on February 11 at 10:30 in the Parlor. The program will be A Pledge
Service. We will also be signing valentines for our shut-ins. Ayleen and Betty are hostesses.
Please bring a sandwich; coffee, tea and dessert are provided.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner, continued from page 1
Great fun before the somber days of Lent! If we were in New Orleans we would
party until midnight, then abruptly stop, and go to church for the Ash Wednesday
service. This year we are combining the two, but we don’t have to wait until midnight! We will end with the imposition of the ashes.
And what is Shrove Tuesday you might ask? “From the earliest years of Christianity, Lent has been the time of self-examination, self-denial and self-discipline. The
day before Lent was originally named Shrove Tuesday because it was on that
day that the ‘Shriving Bell’ rang, summoning everyone to church to be ‘shriven’ – to confess his sins
before beginning the serious preparation for Easter. In olden days, celebrating Lent also meant fasting. Eggs, meat, milk and rich buttery dishes were the principal foods to be avoided…. Being merry
while ‘eating it all up’ became the custom of Shrove Tuesday. Since many of the foods eaten were
fatty, buttery and rich, this merry feasting day became known as Fat Tuesday. One way to use up
eggs, milk, and fats is to combine them with flour and to make pancakes.”* Hence, we have our
Pancake Supper and Pancake Relay! (from *Follow the Year, A Celebration of Family Holidays by
Mala Powers)
Do come and join the fun! Ticketless tickets are available these Sundays, Feb. 1, Feb 8 and February
15. Also, if you would like to join in decorating we will do it after church February 15 for about an
hour.
Page 9
Volume 21 Issue 1
Sermon Series
Starting Over
Sometimes we long for a fresh start. Our lives hit such a wall that we want a new beginning. But
what does it take to get one? How do we go about it? In the book of Ruth we get an account of
some of what can be involved.
February 1: Essentials for survival. Ruth 2: 1-9, 17-19 (Ruth goes in
search of food). Often we look for single solutions to human problems but life is more complicated than that. Even providing the
basics involves multiple dimensions. The good news is that they
are possible to come by.
February 8: Moving Ahead. Ruth: 1-13 (Ruth enlists the help of
Boaz). It is one thing to scrape by; quite another to flourish. Once
we have provided for the basics, then getting beyond survival
mode brings a new set of challenges.
February 15: Happily ever after. Ruth 4: 1-6, 13-17 (Ruth marries Boaz). The promise of authentic
community is wholeness. The support and encouragement we receive from each other equip us to
live as compassionate people in healthy relationships in a just, equitable and peaceful world.
Beginning February 22, A Community for Others
Answering the call of Jesus takes us in two different directions at once. On the one hand we are
brought into a supportive connection where we can cherish and encourage one another. On the
other hand we are directed to reach out to include those beyond our number. How do we go in
both directions at the same time? What helps us avoid choosing one over the other? How is it
possible to hold them together? We will be examining some of the ramifications of our calling as we
reflect on our church’s new purpose statement. Join us for this series that begins February 22 and
concludes on March 22.
Congregational Care Staff Change
Nancy Berry is retiring as Director of Congregational
Care at the end of June. She has done an excellent
job during her tenure here and we will miss her.
Thank you Nancy; we are grateful for all you have
done for us and wish the best for your retirement. A
party for Nancy will be announced as soon as the
date is set.
Nancy Berry
Rev. Beryl Ingram is being hired to replace her. As
most of you know, Beryl has been associated with
our church for many years. She started in 1984 as
Associate Pastor and later became Senior Pastor,
retiring from that position in 2012.
Beryl Ingram
Beryl starts her new position with us this coming July. Welcome back, Beryl!
Page 10
FIRST UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH OF
BELLEVUE
1934 108th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004-2828
Phone: 425-454-2059
E-mail:
[email protected]
www.fumcbellevue.org
We’re on the Web!
www.fumcbellevue.org
Valentines for Clean Air
On February 15, join with congregations in all 50 states in sending
valentines to our U.S. Congressional delegation asking them to support the
Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce air pollution from
power plants.
The science shows that climate change, largely driven by carbon pollution
and other greenhouse gases, is already posing risks to our health and our
economy. Nationwide by 2030, the Clean Power Plan will help cut carbon
emissions from power plants by 30 percent below 2005 levels. The proposal
also would cut pollution that leads to the formation of soot and smog by
over 25 percent in 2030.
The annual “Love Creation” activities over the Valentine’s Day weekend
are sponsored by Interfaith Power and Light, with which our congregation
is affiliated through our membership in Earth Ministry. Besides focusing on
clean power here in the U.S., this year’s event is aimed at influencing
global leaders when they gather in Paris in December to hopefully finalize
a legally binding international treaty to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
These are the reductions we need global leaders to commit to in order to
stop catastrophic climate change and protect our children's future.
So stop by the Green Team’s
table in the parlor to sign a
valentine card. (There’s a
rumor that chocolate may be
involved!)