he

The Christian
Vol. 67, No. 3
T
Courier The
Courier
C
Christian
Bellingham FirstCourier
Christian The Christian Courier
Church AprilThe
2017C

Sign Up To Read
Come Celebrate Easter! Sign up in the fellowship
hall to participate in the
Good Friday reading of
Holy Week 2017 the New Testament. We
will begin with Matthew
1:1 and attempt to
conclude with Revelation
Palm Sunday 22:21. Can we do it? Its
April 9 a worthy goal and an
10:50 a.m. Gathering Time (singing & announcements) inspiring and fun
11 a.m. Worship with the Procession of the Palms endeavor. Please join in
as a reader or a listener.
Maundy Thursday
April 13 Sign Up To
5:30 p.m. Soup Supper & Worship
Bring Flowers
Good Friday Sign up in the fellowship
hall to bring flowers for
April 14 Easter worship in honor
6 a.m. Reading of the New Testament Begins
or in memory of a loved
6 p.m. Good Friday Worship
one.

Easter Sunday
April 16 Help the Bunny
8:30 a.m. Early Service (Zuanich Park) The Easter Bunny needs
9:30 a.m. Breakfast (Church) your assistance with the
10:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt Easter Egg Hunt. Keeping
10:50 a.m. Gathering Time (singing & announcements) justice (fair trade only, no
11 a.m. Worship palm oil), allergy (milk &
nuts), and safety (nothing
choke-able) issues in
mind, The Bunny will do
the shopping and prep
First Christian Church 360.734.6820 work. (Please have all
(Disciples of Christ) office@bellinghamdisciples.org
495 East Bakerview Road bellinghamdisciples.org contributions in the office
Bellingham, WA 98226 prior to Palm Sunday,
April 9.)
 First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Shoes News
A Home
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226 (Two Important Projects for Us to Consider)
360.734.6820
office@bellinghamdisciples.org
www.bellinghamdisciples.org
Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Most of us have never experienced homelessness, so its difficult for us
to understand what folks go through when they transition from having
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
a home to becoming homeless. Just take a moment to think about
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented
world. As part of the one body of Christ, we
what you would do if you were told that your home would have to be
welcome all to the Lords Table as God vacated within a week and there was nowhere else for you to live.
welcomed us.
For me, first of all, I think the emotional toll alone would be almost too
All of Us devastating to bear. Beyond that, my thoughts would turn immediately
Ministers to Tam and Brett who live under the same roof and the three animals
Rev. Gary Shoemaker that call it their home as well. What would we do, where would we go?
Pastor
gary@bellinghamdisciples.org Again, most of us will never have to worry about that, but there are
Rev. Tamalyn Kralman thousands of people just like us who face that reality every day. Like
Director of Ed. & Community Outreach most difficult issues, when thinking about the homeless problem, it
Courier Editor just seems too big for us. What can we do to make a difference? Were
tamalyn@bellinghamdisciples.org just a small church.
Amelia Nye
Accompanist Well, there might be something we can do as a church to make a
major impact on the homeless situation in Bellingham. On Sunday,
Katie Ramstead, Aneesa Ahad
Childcare Providers
March 19th, representatives from the Opportunity Council were here to
explain and take questions about a low income housing project that
Rev. Sandy Messick
might be built on our church property. If we donate the land, theres a
Regional Minister
good chance that dozens of families might have a roof over their
Rev. Sharon Watkins heads. A place to call their own.
General Minister and President
Sunday Schedule Another project (Family Promise) is being sponsored by Interfaith
9:30 a.m. Sunday School Coalition. This project would partner many churches together to
10:50 a.m. Gathering Time temporarily house homeless children and their families. Each host
11 a.m. Worship church would provide space and meals for the families (up to 14
12:15 p.m. Fellowship Time people total) for one week, four times a year (or less). Support
12:30 p.m. Out-to-Lunch Bunch (4th Sunday) churches would assist in providing meals (a cold breakfast, a sack
2 p.m. Someone Cares! Community Meal lunch and a warm evening meal) for the families we host. Each day
(2nd Sunday) they would leave the building to spend time at school, or jobs, or at
Office Hours the day center where they take their showers, do their laundry, and
Monday - Friday
attend training. Brenda Riseland is the best one to answer questions
9 a.m. - noon
Our staff are in and out of the office throughout the
about this project.
week. Please feel free to stop by during their office
hours or make an appointment that fits your schedule.
Each of these projects (Permanent Low-income Housing and Family
Promise) will be voted on at a congregational meeting on March 26th
Officers following worship. Its my hope that the church will be open to these
Renee Hoemann, Moderator programs, because each project is a significant way that we can offer
Don Hoffman, Vice Moderator
hope to folks who are without the security of a home.
Cheryl Perry, Treasurer
Melissa Henderson, Secretary
If you and I ever become homeless, I hope there will be someone
To unsubscribe or go paperless: there for us.
Contact 360.734.6820, 495 East Bakerview
Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, or Pastor Gary
office@bellinghamdisciples.org.

2 April 2017
 Nurses Notes

Allergies
We usually welcome spring. We look forward to warmer, brighter days when we can truly
enjoy being outside without the discomfort of winter's cold and darkness. However, with the
changing of the weather trees and plants begin to bloom with their attendant pollens that for
many people result in unpleasant, and potentially life-threatening, allergic reactions.
Nurses Notes Put simply an allergy is an immune response to a foreign antigen that results in inflammation
and organ (lungs and sinuses) dysfunction. It is a common health problem but with
professional help from a health care provider, appropriate medications, inhalers, treatments,
in addition to knowing what triggers a reaction, living a normal life can be managed.
Asthma is another common respiratory health problem. It is a condition caused by increased sensitivity of the
pulmonary structures to various stimuli which results in episodic narrowing and inflammation. There are many triggers
for an asthmatic response, usually very specific to each individual. As with general allergies, asthma can be managed
toward a healthy life with the assistance of a health care provider who can prescribe the appropriate medications,
treatments, inhalers, etc. Self-knowledge, knowing what can potentially set off a reaction, is important.
Below is an allergy survey. Read it and answer the questions. You may wish to take the information to your health care
provider if you think you have a problem or wish more information.
1. Do you have any of the following problems: hay fever, asthma, hives, food allergy, sinus problems, drug allergy,
insect allergy, skin rash eczema, other?
2. Does anyone in your family have allergies?
3. Have you been tested for allergies?
4. Do you smoke? How much?
5. Exercise habits: (Are you able to tolerate exercise without undo shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, etc.?)
6. Do you have any of these symptoms: nasal stuffiness, sneezing, itching, sinus breathing, cough, chest tightness,
wheezing, shortness of breath, diminished sense of smell? Do symptoms occur year around ?
7. Where do symptoms occur: home, office, school, etc.?
8. What makes symptoms worse? (smoke, dust, pets, exercise, etc.)
9. Do you have pets? (Consider dog or cat dander.)
10. List medications you are currently taking (You may have an allergy to them and not realize it.)
11. Can you take aspirin or anti-inflammatory without symptoms?
12. Do your health problems affect your life?
As with all health issues, being aware of your current health status along with exercising due diligence by keeping in
touch with your health care provider can go a long way toward a healthy life and may even save your life.
Meditation: Healing God, cover us with your presence, enfold us in your grace, that we may walk in confidence and
health as we live each day in your love. Amen.
Jane E. Kletka, RN
Health Nurse, FCC

Thank You Received Many Thanks Given

We received a note
from the Bellingham
Food Bank, thanking
us for our donation of
91 pounds of food items
on March 13, 2017.
Thanks also go to our mysterious
transport person who faithfully
delivers the goods from our grocery
cart to the Food Bank.
Be sure to notice the new warmer, yet brighter lighting throughout our
facility. And be thankful. Your gratitude will continue to grow when the next
electric bill arrives.
Thanks to Puget Sound Energys Small Business Direct Installation Program,
the installation of LED lighting throughout our building has been completed
free of charge. PSE continued on where we had stopped in the
sanctuary and the fellowship hall and finished off the rest of
the lighting in the building. (As of this writing, they had
switched out over 100 fixtures.)
No more hissing, flickering fluorescent light bars. Hallelujah!

April 2017 3
Whos on First?! Birthdays & Anniversaries

Jordan Devin (Greg Smith)

Happy Birthday
23
Pat Whitney 1
Maija Haggith 25
Sarah Wheeler 2
Elise King 28
Mary Ann Teeters 2
Sunday, April 2
Connor Hoemann 4
Elders: Gregg Heyne (O), John Riseland(C) Happy Anniversary
Frances VanDyke 9
Lock-Up: Brenda Riseland Kelly & Tom Gilson 10
Abigail Hulbert 14
In Home Communion: Leslie Pinkston Helen & Jim Blaney 20
Allison Ronney 17
Don Hoffman
Deacons: Kathy Wheeler, Bentley Becker
Reader: James Becker
Flowers: TBD Joys and Concerns
Fellowship Time: TBD
Please submit written requests to update
Sunday, April 9 this list.
Elders: John Riseland (O), Joe Plancich(C)
Deacons: James Becker, Linda Heyne Medical concerns:
Reader: Betty Schmidling Kathy Wheeler
Flowers: Palms Matt Nelson
Fellowship Time: TBD Harmon Woodworth
Sunday, April 16 Mary Ann Teeters
Elders: Kelvin Smith (O), Gregg Heyne(C) Chloe Gibson
Deacons: Ardythe Hannah, Renee Hoemann Donna Fairchild
Reader: Gregg Heyne Nathan Klemann
Flowers: Easter flowers Sharon Kralman, Tamalyns stepmom
Fellowship Time: TBD Lifes challenges:
Sunday, April 23 Katie, Bob Fishers daughter
Elders: Brenda Riseland (O), Jane Kletka(C) Sue Cross on the loss of her husband, Henry
Deacons Pat Whitney, Kris Ann Lewis Matthew, Kris Ann Lewiss nephew
Reader: Don Hoffman Beyond Our Walls:
Flowers: Esther Group For the healing of our nation
Fellowship Time: Esther Group Refugees worldwide
Disciples House Residents, past, present and future
Sunday, April 30 Iglesia de Dios, as together we share Gods love
Elders: Joe Plancich (O), Don Hoffman (C) Raices Culturales/Community to Community families
Deacons: James Becker, Linda Heyne in their gardening program in our field
Reader: Melody Hoffman Kristine Tissinger, missionary partner in Ghana
Flowers: TBD Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister
Fellowship Time: Potluck (JHLB) Rev. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President
Sign up in the fellowship hall to help in these Our General Church ministries
important ministries: Yakama Christian Mission
Read scripture during Sunday morning worship Victims of hatred, injustice, violence, poverty, disease,
Bring flowers for Sunday worship and disaster worldwide
Provide goodies for fellowship time following All troops involved in world conflict
Sunday worship Peacemakers worldwide
Please contact the office for more info.

Remember: Jesus Has Left the Building takes place on 5th Sundays. Worship is just a wee bit shorter (two fewer
hymns and we dont pass the offering plates) and we will have a potluck following worship. Bring your favorite dish
to share and be ready to join in activities to help our community at the conclusion of our meal.

4 April 2017
 April calendar

April 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sunday Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday

7:30a Mens
Breakfast,
Dennys

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9:30a Sunday School Noon - Bulletin
10:50a Gathering Time Bible Study deadline
11a Worship 5:30p 6p Bell 7:30a Mens
12:15p Fellowship Time Spanish Choir Breakfast,
Class 7p Chancel Dennys
Choir

Palm Sunday 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
9:30a Sunday School Bulletin Maundy Good Friday Courier
10:50a Gathering Time deadline Thursday 6a - 6 N.T. deadline
11a Worship Noon - 6p Bell Reading 7:30a Mens
12:15p Fellowship Time 6:30p Bible Study Choir 6p Worship Breakfast,
2p Someone Cares Stewardship 5:30p 7p Chancel 5:30p Soup Dennys
Community Meal & Meeting Spanish Choir Supper &
Josephs Closet Class Rehearsal Worship

Easter Sunday 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
8:30a Early Worship Bulletin
(Zuanich Park) Noon - deadline 6:30p Pub 7:30a Mens
9:30a Breakfast 11:30 a.m. Bible Study 6p Bell Theology, Breakfast,
(Church) Esther 5:30p Choir Hops N Dennys
10:30a Egg Hunt Group Spanish Rehearsal Headz 5:30p Inter-
10:50a Gathering Time (location Class 7p Choir faith Auction
11a Worship TBD) Rehearsal
12:15p Fellowship Time

23 24 25 26 27 28 29
9:30a Sunday School Bulletin
10:50a Gathering Time Noon - deadline 5p
11a Worship Bible Study 6p Bell Checking in
12:15p Fellowship Time 5:30p Choir Group,
12:30p Out-to-Lunch Spanish Rehearsal location
Bunch, location TBD Class 7p Choir TBD
6p Board Meeting Rehearsal
7 p.m. Book Group

JHLB 30 31
9:30a Sunday School
10:50a Gathering Time
11a Worship
12:15p Potluck & Jesus
Has Left the Building

April 2017 5
 First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
An Open and Affirming Congregation
495 East Bakerview Road
Bellingham, WA 98226-9168

00000 00000 00000 00000

00000 00000 00000oooo
00000 00000 00000 00000
00000 00000 00000oooo
00000 00000 00000 00000
00000 00000 00000oooo
00000 00000 00000 00000
00000 00000 00000oooo
00000 00000 00000 00000
00000 00000 00000oooo
00000 00000 00000 00000
00000 00000 00000oooo
00000 00000 00000 00000
00000 00000 00000oooo
Social Justice Task Force
Does your heart lead you in directions of social justice and
reaching out to your neighbor? Join our Social Justice Task
Force and plan events such as our quarterly Jesus Has Left
the Building events, our participation in Bellingham Pride,
and how we can
welcome people into our
own faith community. Jesus Has Left the Building
Sunday, April 30
For more information,
please contact Pastor 10:50 a.m. Gathering Time
Gary, Tamalyn Kralman, 11 a.m. Worship
Bob Fisher, or Bruce Noon Potluck Bring your favorite dish to share
Radtke. 12:30 Following the footsteps of Jesus

Save the Dates

Visit http://
www.disciplesnw.org/
newsletter/northwest-
passage-march-2017 to Read
the Recent Issue of the
Regional Church Newsletter
June 20, 6:30p Longest Day Worship, courtyard
July 8 - 12 General Assembly, Indianapolis
August 21, 10:19a Total eclipse of the sun!
Best view - Madras, OR or visit:
https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/
best-places-to-view/