Commissioning Campers

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Bites & Bytes for Mission &

Ministry
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Letter from our Senior Pastor

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Contents

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July 2014

A Letter from our Senior Pastor...

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for a glorious weekend
and for the privilege of serving as your pastor.

Thank you for all who gathered to pay your respects and
comfort Harley and the family.
Thank you to John Unterreiner for doing such a marvelous
job remembering Ruth.
Thank you to Mary Johnson and her team for a lovely
reception amidst a very busy weekend.

Great Joy for Graduates

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Sermon Planning
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Thank you to Katherine Blaisdell for traveling here to

preach. I am a proud and grateful mother!

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Thank you to Chuck Blaisdell for traveling here to be

with me and to participate in worship.

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Thank you to Becky Metcalf and Rich Eltrich for receiving

me into membership.

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Thank you to the choir for coming back from your summer
vacation to lead us in singing!

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gifts and assistance during service.

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July 2014

my pastor for preaching.

Thank you to all who bought tables and
tickets and attended the event. All of you
made it a huge success.
Thank you to the amazing Riley team
(which included many, many beyond the
Riley family but of course was headed by
Pat) for their willingness to share their
time and talent for all of us to taste! My
daughter, Katherine said that we had
by a huge magnitude the best church
the Kingdom!
Thank you to Joe Mills for putting
for so ably interpreting the reason for
the need!
Thank you to Cassie Tripp and the Hickok
family (Heidi, Mike and Tatiana) for
decorating!
Thank you to all who helped clean up and
get ready for the next events of the day!
Thank you to Lisa Reese and her team for
taking care of the front end of the event
as well as transforming the multipurpose
room into the next event.
Thank you to Todd Zimmer for assisting
with the extra setup as well as being there
to lend a hand.

Thank you to the choir for singing one

of my favorite spirituals!

July 2014

Thank you to Marvin Eckfeldt for ably

and giving us all an opportunity to be
generous.
Thank you to the search committee for
participating and making it all possible
Thank you again to Mary Johnson and
her team for the lovely, lovely reception!
And my new stole is breathtaking!
Thank you to the search committee for
commissioning it. And thank you, thank
you, thank you to Joyce Tober and Maggie
Olson for all the gorgeous work! Those
are my colors!!
My heart is filled with gratitude and
and for us as we serve our neighborhood

our camp weeks.

Collect basic craft supplies that are always
A recent survey among Disciples of Christ
pastors had some eye opening results about the

construction paper colors, crayons, markers,

poster paint and water colors, all types of
tape, safety pins, beads, and embroidery
thread are just some ideas. You can direct

survey of 410 pastors, 75% said that camp had

a big impact on their call to ministry and 20%
said that without camp, they would probably

your congregation. You can view it here and

see what our current and former campers
have to say: https://www.youtube.com/

Box or send them to camp with one of the

Consider being a counselor or director, if

not this year, then in a future year. OR
Encourage your pastor to participate in

Last weekend I gathered at Camp Roganunda

with our directors and counselors who are
What a wonderful and dedicated group of
Christians who are willing to give of their time,
talents, and energy in service to the children
and youth of our region. As we shared together
in conversation there were stories and ideas,
questions and suggestions, and overall an
enthusiasm for the sacred moment that is church
camp. I give thanks for each of them and for
each of the young people who will come and

pastor can be replenished after the week

of serving.

you have campers from your congregation

you can use those scholarships to help
have campers in your congregation, take an

community and in nature as we learn together

Encourage your young people to attend
a few of us. Providing church camp for our
children and youth is an important part of our
regional ministry and as I have said so often,
camp this season? Here are some suggestions:
Pray: Pray for the directors, counselors and

above, or share your own stories if you have

provide transportation to and from camp to
ease the burden on working parents.
For more information on church camp in the
Northwest Region this summer see the article
elsewhere in this Passage, or visit www.

home situations and carry with them a wide

array of stories, life experiences, joys and
sorrows. Hold them in your prayers during
July 2014

By: Joe Mills

Bits and Bytes for Mission and Ministry raised

Pat and Jan Riley are pleased to announce that

three close family members have graduated
from the University of Washington this June.

down, gourmet salmon and chicken dinner

attended by 90 First Church members and
friends. In addition to ticket sales of $905, 14
table sponsorships were donated to the cause.
The goal of the event was to hold a festive,
gourmet dinner to raise funds for new

family there to witness the celebration!

Additional shout outs go to our other graduates:
Amber Anton, Robbie Rhoads, Kailey Reese,

parts: To upgrade our internet to higher speed

IP telephone system; to develop a church
backup, and data protection.
available and the proceeds from Bites and
Bytes will increase the money available to
purchase equipment and services. Additional
From: Northwest Passage

A team of more than twenty volunteers

worked to make Bites and Bytes a success.
who planned the menu and led a team of
gastronomic enthusiasts.

CAMPERS
commissioning our campers as they prepare
for this years summer camp that is provided
through the regions. Please join us as we help
our campers prepare.

WA.
This camp experience is for any family that has
a child with special needs in school (< 21). We
will gather together with a low stress schedule,
with many possible activities including
canoeing and swimming. Friday, people can
arrive as early as noon or as late as you need.

and $25 per each additional in a family. If you

are interested please contact Rev. J.C. Mitchell
more information.

July 2014

Aug 10
July 6
(In observance Independence Day)

Aug 17

(Essau, Isaac and a Mess of Pottage)

A Mess of Pottage: An Independence Day

Aug 24

July 13

Aug 31

(Isaac digging new wells)

Sept 7
July 20

Bargaining and Blessing

Sept 14

July 27
Sept 21
Esau and wrestles with Angel)
Sept 28

(5 Sundays of August)
Aug 3

July 2014

By: Rev. Nancy E. Brink

Chapman University, Orange, CA is coming to

a church near you! Chapman is related to our
founding denomination, the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), and as of 2010 is also
An excellent university with programs in liberal
and digital arts, Chapman has a special program
for Disciples and UCC students. Disciples

For more info on Chapman, go to https://

chapman.edu and http://www.chapman.edu/
a

index.aspx
Rev. Nancy E. Brink
Director of Church
Relations Chapman
University
brink@chapman.edu

and fun events and a retreat each semester to

build community. Each participating student
receives $2,000 a year. Additionally, half tuition
scholarships are given to students who are:
Children, grandchildren, nieces, and
nephews of Disciples or UCC clergy

By: Cassandra Cassie Tripp

During the month of June one of our own,

Rev. Roger Davidson, delivered a wonderful

(UCC) in a youth leadership council

Nancy Brink, Director of Church Relations,
will be participating in the opening day of the
meet prospective UCC and Disciples students
and/or parents who want to learn more about
Chapman and all of our church related colleges.

Please help our church hosts plan the meal by

6

July 2014

to these wonderful sermons again, as well as a

wonderful service, please use the URL below
or visit our Facebook page for direct links:

Hungry children cannot thrive, and 40% of the

Thursday morning the Yard Crew comes

all are invited to join this group. We have
weeding, trimming with the string trimmer
around the areas where the mower cannot
reach. Edge the sidewalks on both Orchard

and your dollars will help. For every dollar

donated, the Food Bank can provide a meal
for a family of four. Place your donation in
the collection plate marked Food Bank, and
your donation will be sent to the Northwest
Tacoma Food Bank.

Come and join this group and enjoy the

fellowship. If you have any questions, call
Jim Treece, Chair of Resources.

Do you have extra produce from your

garden? Or fruit falling from your trees?
Donate it to the nearest Food Bank.

During this day and age we try our best

to help our environment by limiting the
amount of paper that is being used. All
newsletters are printed on recycle paper,
but is that really enough? To help out
Mother Earth we are asking if you would
like to receive an electronic version of the
newsletter? If so, please contact Cassie at:

The next dates for FCC volunteers to donate

For information on volunteering or how to
donate fresh fruit and produce, contact Norma

noon, at FCC in the educational building. All are

welcome any time. Come, learn and share the

from you. Was there something about the

event you liked or would like to see again?
com. Note there will be no class on July 4 as we
will be observing Independence Day.

July 2014

feedback to info@fcctacoma.org, or you

can drop us letter in the mail. Thanks!

July 2014
Sunday

Monday
29

Tuesday
30

7:00 PM Gamblers Anonymous Mtg

- Chapel

Lay: Lois Treece

Assist: Harriet Wright
Prayer: Arthur Reese
11:00 AM Worship

Assist: Jan Riley

Lay: Rachael Haney
11:00 AM Worship

13

Lay: Norma Carolyn

Prayer: Harriet Wright
11:00 AM Worship

20

Prayer: Pat Riley

Assist: Betty Jones
11:00 AM Worship

27

Prayer: Jo Roller
Lay: Esther Woodcock
Assist: Vicky Carlson
11:00 AM Worship

Saturday
4

11

12

Independence Day
Building Closed

10

8:30 AM Yard Crew

Building Closed
10:30 AM Writing for Fun & Family
Class - Ed Wing

15

16

17

8:30 AM Yard Crew

Gig Harbor Sml Grp

22

18

19

Building Closed

6:15 PM Board Meeting

7:00 AM Clergy Grp - Library

10:00 AM Staff Meeting - Ed Wing
6:30 PM North Tacoma Sml Grp Off Site
6:30 PM Gamblers Anonymous
(Women) Meeting - Chapel

10:30 AM Writing for Fun & Family

Class - Ed Wing

23

24

8:30 AM Yard Crew

Gig Harbor Sml Grp

25

26

Building Closed
10:30 AM Writing for Fun & Family
Class - Ed Wing

29

7:00 AM Clergy Grp - Library

10:00 AM Staff Meeting - Ed Wing
6:30 PM North Tacoma Sml Grp Off Site
6:30 PM Gamblers Anonymous
(Women) Meeting - Chapel

8:30 AM Yard Crew

Gig Harbor Sml Grp

7:00 AM Clergy Grp - Library

10:00 AM Staff Meeting - Ed Wing
6:30 PM North Tacoma Sml Grp Off Site
6:30 PM Gamblers Anonymous
(Women) Meeting - Chapel

28

7:00 PM Gamblers Anonymous Mtg

- Chapel

Friday
3

6:00 PM Youth Meeting with Chapmen University Rep - Free Dinner

21

7:00 PM Gamblers Anonymous Mtg

- Chapel

Lay: Keith Woodcock

Thursday
2

Gig Harbor Sml Grp

7:00 AM Clergy Grp - Library

10:00 AM Staff Meeting - Ed Wing
6:30 PM North Tacoma Sml Grp Off Site
6:30 PM Gamblers Anonymous
(Women) Meeting - Chapel

14

5:00 PM Finance Mtg -Ed Wing

7:00 PM Gamblers Anonymous Mtg
- Chapel

Assist: Steve Johnson

7:00 AM Clergy Grp - Library

10:00 AM Staff Meeting - Ed Wing
6:30 PM North Tacoma Sml Grp Off Site
6:30 PM Gamblers Anonymous
(Women) Meeting - Chapel

5:15 PM Elders Meeting - Parlor

6:00 PM Trustees Meeting - Ed
Wing
7:00 PM Gamblers Anonymous Mtg
- Chapel

Prayer: David Quiring

Wednesday
1

30

Gig Harbor Sml Grp

31

8:30 AM Yard Crew

Building Closed
10:30 AM Writing for Fun & Family
Class - Ed Wing

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