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| The Vine - June, 2009
A Monthly Publication of
All Pilgrims Christian Church
- Seattle, WA
Jeremy Matheis, Editor
Norm Wells, Features Editor |
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Greetings!
All Pilgrims Christian Church
Come As You Are
ALL Are Welcome!
Sunday Worship - 10:30 AM
Coffee Hour - 11:45 AM | |
 We Are in Action! On May 3, the congregation met for a lively and energizing gathering called "Stir up the Gifts" to start the Action Inquiry phase of the New Beginnings process.
Action Inquiry is a continuation of our discernment process about mission and calling at All Pilgrims, that our New Beginnings consultant John Forman refers to also as "testing the spirit."
On May 3, individuals hosted conversations on topics out of which might come Action Inquiry Teams inspired by our purpose. We call them Action Inquiry Teams because we are taking action in order to inquire about and test our sense of what our purpose statement means for what we are called to become. Action Inquiry Teams are projects inspired by the purpose statement: "We are a community of progressive, diverse Christians which gathers on Capitol Hill for spiritual formation that compels us to action."
Conversations covered a wide range of concerns at the church:
· Short-term (street appeal) and long-term (redevelopment) aspects of the church building
· Fundraising
· Welcoming and integrating new people
· Adult education
· What it means to be diverse progressive Christians in an interfaith world
· Web-based outreach, especially to (but not limited to) the GLBT community
The process of convening conversations for possible Action Inquiry teams also is ongoing. You can announce a conversation you would like to host during worship (check with the person who is handling announcements), and then begin your conversation in Stuart Hall during or after coffee hour. If you would like to reserve a different space for your conversation, contact Jeremy during the week to schedule a room.
If Your Conversation Turns Into an Action Inquiry - Please help Council and the New Beginnings team keep in touch with what you're up to, so that we can all be learning, and so that you can receive the appropriate support. Please use the Resource form and send it to Eric Liljegren seattleviking@comcast.net. Eric will share it with the appropriate team members. If you need funding for your project, the Resource form is your way of asking for money. This form and other information is available on the New Beginnings blog.
If you'd like to post a report of what your Action Inquiry Team is doing on the blog, please send your information to Kathleen Hosfeld Hosfeld@hosfeldartists.com.
Our next step in the New Beginnings process is the Action Inquiry Team Rally on June 7. There will be a brief congregational meeting, followed by coffee hour. Then there will be a "rally" during which all teams that have formed will have a chance to report in on how their conversation has evolved and what they are doing now. This is a great time to advertise your project for additional participants and support.
Confused? Delighted? Please contact the New Beginnings committee chairman, Eric Liljegren, seattleviking@comcast.net |
 Greetings from Pastor NinaJune is here! That usually signals several things for me: the end of the school year; the calendar start to summer; "June gloom" weather-wise; the beginning of wedding season; and on the last weekend of June, the PRIDE festival and parade!
This year, the Capitol Hill Community Council is planning their first (hopefully annual) PRIDE festival on Saturday of Pride weekend, closing down a few blocks of Broadway for the day. APCC plans to have a banner and table outside of our church, welcoming people and joining the celebration. Our church doors will be open, for participants to come inside to safely and warmly rest in the sacred space.
As we, APCC, provide a place of safety and inclusion for all people, I don't have to say much to raise awareness that inclusion and equality are still being withheld to our GLBT(Q)(I) brothers and sisters in our country. The California State Supreme Court decision to uphold Prop. 8's ban on same sex marriage was very disappointing news to many. As a native Californian, I find myself not only extremely disappointed of this ban, but embarrassed and ashamed. I've believed in and known California as a leading place for diversity and upholding rights of equality. ... But not this time. (I, along with many others, sigh in aching distress.) In the month that PRIDE events take place, there is much progress to be celebrated, but still much to advocate for.
This June, I am officiating a wedding for a newer couple to our church, Danielle and David, at the Space Needle. It will be a beautiful event, a meaningful event - one with memories and promises for a lifetime. As I've been reflecting and writing out my words for the ceremony, the bitterness of California's ban on and most states' lack of acknowledging same-sex marriage calls out to me.. I am performing a sacred moment between two people in love, making a pledge of commitment for a life-time to each other surrounded by family and friends.
In April, another couple in our church, Ray and Vince, celebrated their commitment ceremony at the Columbia Tower. As the opening remarks of their ceremony said, "They have shared twelve years of joys and challenges and stand here today with the intention to continue celebrating every moment of life with each other in the midst of community." They were blessed as a couple and given the pronouncement by the officiant that they "stand united in the journeys of life". As two people in love, they stood together in a sacred space and time, exchanging vows of commitment for a life-time, surrounded by family and friends.
May we come to an age when ALL loving commitments between two people for a life-time are legally recognized everywhere and widely celebrated for the sacred moments that they truly are. For God is love (1 John 4:8).
Blessings,
Nina |
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People Happenings
APCC Welcomes 7 New Members!
We asked:
"what attracted you to All Pilgrims?"...
Michael Brown
I was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church LCA (now ELCA), Council Bluffs, Iowa, in November of 1961. I can clearly remember it!
My coming to APCC is primarily due to my dear friend Jason Kettler. We sing in the SMC, along with J.D. Fugate and Michael Small. In asking Jason if the music at All Pilgrims was really good, if folks really sang along, and did the organist play the hymns up to tempo (meaning not too slowly), he said that APCC had the finest music program of any church he had ever attended, and that basically sold me. Plus I was also told that Pastor Nina was so theologically gifted that I would long for each week's sermon, and that is true as well. Thank you for your inquiry!
Evan Hershman
I was attracted to All Pilgrim's Church during many walks I took on Broadway where I passed this church on the sidewalk time after time and saw this place that I instantly sensed would be welcoming and inviting for all- the rainbow flag didn't hurt! During my short time at the church so far I found my way again in a faith journey that I thought had gotten permanently lost in the woods, and I hope to continue that journey now with the help of so many incredibly supportive people.
Kathleen Hosfeld
I came to All Pilgrims as a new member of the Beck family, which came from a long relationship with First Christian. As I've become more involved through working on the New Beginnings committee, I've decided I want to make more official my relationship with this congregation. I feel we are asking important questions about what it means to be a progressive Christian church with a desire to further the work of the Spirit in the world.
Jason Kettler
I happened on APCC very serendipitously four years ago, and since then have been drawn back repeatedly because of the warmth that emanates from the place and its people. I routinely proclaim it to be the "best church ever," and tell others that in my opinion, its message is one which mirrors Christ's example of unconditional love and hope for EVERYONE. The singing is also more glorious here than in any other church I've attended. For these reasons and more, I am enthusiastic to make APCC my church home.
Sarah Spears
Sarah was unavailable for comment at this time.
John Stapleton
At All Pilgrims I get the feeling that everyone really is welcome. It shows in the banner on the church tower, for example. The fellowship is wonderful, open and affirming. I really appreciate this especially after a bad experience I had at my previous church. I was also very impressed with Pastor Nina; she visited me when I had pneumonia, and that was before I was even considering church membership at APCC!
Steve Thoreson
Well, I must say, first of all it was our beloved Bella that brought me to this great church for the first time. I simply came in support of her and some needs she had, and I found myself sitting in the back row of the church. Having been raised a Mormon and subsequently being thrown out of the church, it has been 6 years since I attended a church regularly. Feeling hesitant, I staked out the back row figuring this was the easiest place to hide, do my time, then escape. Well from that day forward, I noticed how different the entire experience was from what I expected.
The music! Wow! Ryan Dye! Enough said. I'm so happy to be involved with such a professional. As many of you know I am a professional Opera singer, and finding Ryan was such a treat and the choir was awesome as well. I have a lifetime of choral experience and have sung in many choirs and this one is such a joy to be a part of.
As for the spiritual side of this journey, I was so surprised to have first met Pastor Greg and truly enjoyed the message and candor in which he preached. I found myself looking forward to the message of the sermon, and a rejuvenation of my week having attended church. Of course I kept hearing about Pastor Nina, and how wonderful she is. The rumors were true! And in retrospect, it's really fulfilling and healing to once again partake in the sacrament each week. I didn't realize how much I missed it, and what a part it plays in my life feeling renewed with God.
So here I am, a new member of your church, and I thank you for making me feel welcome and also for feeling like I do belong to this church. I love the welcoming time for our congregation, and of course the ending as we all sing in a circle. Thats my favorite time. To see everyone, and to share in the collective joy, peace and energy that is our church! Thanks for the welcome, glad to be here.
Weeding Volunteers Needed
The church grounds are already suffering from the lack of regular weeding. The church budget will not allow us to pay someone to get this job done. If two or three people took turns it is probably something many of us could do quite easily. Please contact anyone on the Building & Grounds Committee: Wayne Daly, Ray Nutter, Norm Wells, or Church Administrator, Jeremy Matheis. The B & G Committee will develop a schedule that fits your calendar.
There will also be another Outdoor Work Party on Saturday, June 13. Everyone is encouraged to help out! |
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Groups, Committees & Events
YES! Sunday to be More Inclusive - June 14th
The Stewardship Committee announces changes in the celebration of YES Sunday.
For some time, once each quarter the Stewardship Committee, headed by Heather Purdy leads the congregation in recognizing and honoring each and every member's anniversary of joining All Pilgrims. Usually, at some spot in the YES! Sunday worship service, names are called out asking honorees to stand and be recognized with applause. The event is further highlighted with a special insert in the bulletin and each honoree is given a fresh new name tag to wear, designed by J.D. Fugate.
The committee has decided it's time to begin recognizing another group of faithful "regulars." Beginning on our next YES! Sunday, June 14th, faithful non-members will also be honored.
There are many who regularly participate with us (and several are church leaders) who for one good reason or another, have not declared formal membership. We want to recognize them for their commitment as well. So, in addition to the "anniversary people" we will invite those who are not members, but nonetheless are active with us, to stand and be recognized and celebrated for their participation and service as well as for their intention to continue faithful support of All Pilgrims in the year(s) ahead.
Status of Search for Long-term Pastor
Your Pastoral Search Committee is committed to meeting weekly on Sunday mornings to ensure steady progress in our search for long-term pastoral leadership. The committee has discovered there is a lot of  "prep work" that has to be accomplished before any consideration is even given to candidate interviews. Members of the congregation will soon be invited to help with this prep work, so be prepared! Meanwhile, everyone agrees: we sure are lucky to have with us the wonderful leader in Nina Merkle Nestlerode as our Interim Pastor!
Pride 2009 - All Pilgrims is participating!
The Capitol Hill Community Council has announced the Capitol Hill Pride Festival 2009 on Broadway, to be held Saturday, June 27 between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. The format of the festival will be an all-ages family fun festival celebrating diversity and community pride. The theme is "Family" and the festival will be open to everyone, LGBT, straight and anyone of any background. Music, singing, entertainment, fashion show contests, pet parade and face painting are being planned. It will be located on the two blocks of Broadway between Olive and Harrison Streets. The Capitol Hill Arts and Events committee expects attendance to be between 2,000 and 10,000 people.
This is a great opportunity to show our friends and neighbors that we're here, what we believe, and that we mean "all are welcome". We plan to have a hosted table set up in our front walk, offering brochures, and cold soft drinks to festival participants. If we are blessed with enough volunteers, we would also like to open the Sanctuary so visitors can get a better sense of our worship environment, and talk with us if they wish. We have some ideas already for making this fun for everyone who participates, and welcome more input into the planning of this important day. To join us or learn more, please see Eric Liljegren, Heather Purdy, or Justin Umbright after worship between now and June 21, or email Jeremy office@allpilgrims.org and let us know you want to be a part!
Help Prevent Summer Hunger
During the month of June, All Pilgrims will be joining forces with the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County in their "Prevent Summer Hunger" food drive. This drive is intended to help the program meet the expected increase in requests for food assistance that they will be facing during the summer months. You  see, for far too many local families, the end of the school year means facing the additional challenge of making up for the loss of the free or reduced-price school lunch that they had been depending upon to provide their children with the nutrition they need and deserve. And this additional need comes at a time when our community is already in crisis.
The implosion of the economy has thrown thousands out of work, depleted life savings, and has many households facing the very real risk of losing their homes. The number of households turning to the Emergency Feeding Program for help keeping food on the family table has skyrocketed in recent months. In the first quarter of 2009, requests for food assistance from EFP increased by an astonishing 111 percent over the first quarter of last year. For these families, struggling amidst so many uncertainties, we'd like to be able to make one promise-that they need not send their children to bed hungry this summer.
In order to keep that promise, we are turning to you for help. During the entire month of June, All Pilgrims will be accepting non-perishable food donations in the box in the Narthex. Foods that are especially sought after include:
Peanut Butter
SPAM
Canned Foods: Vienna Sausages, Soup, Beef Stew, Pork & Beans, Chili, Corn, Green Beans or Peas, Peaches, Fruit Cocktail or Pineapple
Packets of Powdered Milk
Jars of Baby Food
If you prefer, you can donate on- line with their Virtual Food Drive.
Just log on to www.emergencyfeeding.org to start shopping.
Baptism Class Coming
Interested in being baptized? Please mark your calendars for an  informative two-week class on baptism into the Christian faith at All Pilgrims with Pastor Nina. This class will be held Wednesday evenings, June 24th and July 1st at 7:30 in the Chapel.
Church Potluck - June 14
We will be having our spring and summer party following our worship service on Sunday, June 14. Please bring your favorite dish according to the first letter of your last name:
A-J - salads
K-P - main dishes
Q-Z - desserts
Men's Breakfast - June 21
The next breakfast will be held Sunday, June 21 at 8:30 am. We will have a special quest that day and will be asking for a small donation. Please contact Michael Small if you have any questions. |
 Make a Gift, Receive Income
It may seem contradictory, but it's true. Usually, when you give a gift (to church or elsewhere) the money is happily gone, while you hope it's doing the good you intended it to do.
However, there is another type of gift: remarkably, a person can make a significant gift to All Pilgrims Christian Church (or any other qualifying charity) and retain the right to an income for life from that gift.
Kathy & I made such a gift years ago, and it's worked out great. There are several types; ours is called a gift annuity, and it pays us generous interest. We get a direct deposit every quarter along with a note from the Christian Church Foundation letting us know it's in the bank. Some day, when Kathy and I are no longer "among the living" the residuary will go to our named charity.
Anyone can establish a gift annuity, benefitting.... All Pilgrims Christian Church, for example. To do so, you would transfer funds to the foundation today and receive fixed payments for life. Surprisingly, the IRS gives you a tax deduction for doing so as well. And, believe it or not, part of the income you receive is tax free or taxed at lower rates than other income for a period of time.
Think of all the recent blessings that have come to APCC because of a past member, Patsy Gray. She remembered us in her will long before she died, and a bequest will probably always be the simplest of all estate gifts a person can make. On the other hand, Kathy and I enjoy getting guaranteed income for the rest of our lives on earth.
If you're interested, or even just curious, mention it to me and I'll get you the details. - Norm Wells | |
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QUICK LINKS
Who We Are
or call 206.322.0487
509 10th Ave E
Seattle, WA 98102 |
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