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Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
February 2011
In This Issue
The Pastor's Desk
Your Session
Clerk's Corner
Children's Department
Music Department
Adult Ed
Finance Department
2011 Per Capita
Ash Wednesday
Presbyterian Women
Missional Knitting
Lecture Series
You're Invited!
HH Spring Fling
Deacon News
HH Starter Kits
Urban Poverty Forum
Health Care Team
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Our Three Es
 
2011 logo
Mission Statement and Slogan  

Imagine living God's kingdom now as disciples of Jesus' radical way, just imagine....
 
"A place to Encounter God in worship, Encourage one another in life and faith, and Engage the world for Christ."
From the Pastor's Desk
 
Tobin - color   

Why go to church?  Why now? Why bother? Why do we do what we do? We all remember our children or our friends' children asking the great "Why?" about everything.  Only to be asked the question so often we reply with an exasperated, "Because I said so!" So I risk asking it again...  Why?

 

There is a wonderful story of a group of American car executives who went to Japan to see a Japanese assembly line. At the end of the line, the car doors were put on its hinges, just like in America. In fact everything was the same except one thing. In the United States, a line worker would take a rubber mallet and tap the edges of the door to ensure that it fit perfectly. In Japan, that job did not exist. Bewildered and confused, the American auto executives asked at what point they made sure that the car door fit perfectly. The Japanese guide looked at them and smiled sheepishly. "We make sure it fits when we design it." In the Japanese auto plant, they engineered the outcome they wanted from the beginning.  They did not try to fit the door to an existing structure.  Neither should we try and fit a door on an old chassis, so to speak.

 

The doors on both cars seemed to fit well but with the Japanese cars one did not need a mallet to hammer the doors in place.  I really like this story. If we begin with the Why, then we really don't need someone with a mallet at the end of the line tapping us into the right location. So we begin with our GREAT why again.

 

Why do we exist?  The Session has just reorganized around three E's. Encountering God in Worship, Encouraging one another in life and ministry and Engaging the world for Christ. Everything we do will fit into one of these three E's with the exception of property and finance committee and the personnel committee. They provide the infrastructure for our life together in 3E fashion.

 

The Session believed that this was the best possible way to bring people together "shoulder to shoulder" to be in ministry with each other as opposed to being silo-ed and doing their own thing.  The intent is to create space for people to actually do ministry rather than sit in a room talking about doing ministry. In order for this to happen, a new structure that fit our size, resources, and capacity today in 2011 as opposed to a church that existed 10 or even 20 years ago was necessary. The session leadership, with the help of Scott Lumsden, the Executive Presbyter of the Seattle Presbytery, began all over again with a blank sheet of paper. We are lighter on our feet and engaged with one another.

 

Do we have all of the details "zipped up?" No, we do not and I will not pretend that we have thought of everything. So we are asking for your patience and a "roll-up-your-sleeves attitude" that says, "How can I be part of who we are now?"  There is nothing that would Encourage us more than all of you asking us how you can help in this process. No process is perfect; that is why we call it a process. It is a journey through the rough waters to beautiful views on the other side. So let's go for a drive together, shall we?

 

Join us and we will keep you posted as the re-organization continues to take shape.

 

Joy of the journey to you...

 

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Your Session
 

Moderator of Session

Tobin Wilson

 

Clerk of Session
 

Melinda Glass

 

Gathering elder

Norma Kastien

 

Giving elders

Steve Glass

and

Carolyn Carpenter

 

Going elder

Don Weber

 

Capital Improvements elder

Paul Larson

 

Personnel elder

Margarita Suarez

 

Finance elder

Anne Tiernan

 

Growing elder

Melinda Mackey-O'Brien

 

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Clerk's Corner
 

2011 has begun and we welcomed new members to our community of faith this month.

 

It is always a very powerful experience to hear our faith stories and what brings us to Lake Burien Presbyterian Church as well as what keeps us here to get involved in our community of faith.

 

Each elder of session has been finalizing their end-of-the-year-reports for a great annual congregational meeting on Jan. 30. We hope that you will attend and see and hear all of the accomplishments that God has guided us through as well as the opportunities and adventures that God will lead us into this next year. I continue to be amazed at the entire mission-driven activities our church members participate in and are a part of.

 

The session voted and approved:

         A recommendation to request the congregation approve an additional $25,000 from the endowment fund to complete the capital improvement projects. This will come before the congregation at the 1/30/2011 meeting.

         Receiving the December 2010 Financial report.

         A recommendation to forward the elder candidates; Jenna Fox, Brandon Stoy, Gordon Shaw, Steve Turner and Tim O'Brien to the congregation on 1/30/2011.

         Communion to be offered to the congregation the first Sunday of each month with service to homebound members by ordained members and pastor.

         Election of Melinda Glass, clerk of LBPC session for the 2011year.

         Session calendar, fourth Tuesday of each month with the exception of July, meeting at 7 p.m. in the Pacific Room.

 

Session continues to work on the reorganization of session and our church. They are excited to unveil these basic concepts to the congregation on Jan. 30, 2011. Each session member has been working on this for over a year in terms of how to re-invent our church to create a spirit-filled, open, inclusive and dynamic, missional church. They have engaged the deacons in this discussion and will move it to the congregation.

It is a work in progress, as are we all.

 

Melinda Glass, LBPC clerk

  

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From the Children's Department
 
Sarah Pham

Greetings LBPC! I don't have a lot of "new" news to report this month, but do want to remind you about what's happening in the Children's Department. Remix dinners continue to happen every Wednesday night and it has been a blessing to see our children grow in using manners, engaging in dinner conversation and memorizing Scripture. These are our three main goals for Wednesday nights, and I want to encourage any of you who may be interested in engaging with our young people to come and sit at a table on a Wednesday night and get to know our kids better.

 

An exciting new venture on my part is spending time in the classrooms of Seahurst Elementary. In the middle of January, I was able to begin volunteering in some of the primary grade classrooms. My hope is that this will build a stronger partnership between LBPC and Union Gospel Mission with the school, as well as increase my exposure to the kids and teachers in our community. I believe that serving a community well stems from knowing a community well, so I look forward to continuing to learn more about the community through Seahurst Elementary.

 

I pray that you have a blessed month and invite you to remember our children in prayer as we seek to teach them the love of Christ!

 

Love IN HIM,

 

Sarah Pham

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From the Music Department
 
Mark Wagner 

Winter in Seattle can be a foggy and dense season of wandering. Overcast skies and rainy days lead us into a spirit of mere existence as we long for the days of sunshine and blue skies. Hawaii anyone? Just kidding....

 

As a community of faith at LBPC, let's challenge ourselves this winter season, and into the spring, to shine our lights in Burien. Together as a family of believers, we can allow God's light to shine through us, and ultimately we can allow His Spirit to impact the community around us! He will draw his children from the darkness back into His Light!

 

Mark WagnerMark's single cover

 

 

Editor's note: this is the cover for Mark's new single, Shine Your Light. As of right now, this is an unreleased single.... you heard it first right here. Lina Thompson is on backup vocals, too. To hear this even before it's released in a couple of weeks, go to the website www.lbpc.org. You'll find it on the home page. Click on the button beside the text "Shine Your Light." Enjoy. 

 

From the Growing Team
 

"What I did not fully understand at the time, however, was that every now and then in Afghanistan, the strands of messiness and confusion and unfairness manage to braid themselves together and, in the most improbable and miraculous way, offer up a radiant affirmation of possibility and hope that transcends anything that Hollywood, on its best day, could ever hope to imagine."

Greg Mortensen, Chapter 17 "The Last Best School" from Stones into Schools

 

 

What I did not understand... the strands of messiness and confusion and unfairness... the most improbable and miraculous way... radiant affirmation of possibility and hope that transcends... imagine. I implore you to see the possibilities here at LBPC, to feel the spirit. Smell the evolution. Taste the creativeness. Hear the sacred. As the ordained and not yet ordained we are to serve each other, the other/God with energy, imagination, intelligence and love. There is a lot of work to be done and it begins with us here and now.

 

After the commissioning, imagine more....

Feb. 6 - no class but fellowship

Feb. 13 - no class, mingle with the Boy Scouts!

Feb. 20 and 27 - A Few Things I Wish I'd Done... Had I Died Last Sunday - Margarita Suarez in her straight up, factual and humorous way helps us to slow down, think and talk about some of the important things we know we need to do and talk about with our loved ones. It will not cover legal issues, but some of the emotional, spiritual and physical issues that will help us and those we love at our time of transition....

 

Melinda Mackey-O'Brien, elder  

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From the Finance Department
 
2010 Budget as of December 31, 2010 
 

Budget            $321,040

  Income          $317,428

  Expenses      $312,548 

 

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Per Capita Apportionment
 

Per Capita: The per capita apportionment dollars, $40.79, are assessed for each active member on LBPC rolls. The funds are used for administrative support of ministry and mission for each of the governing bodies of the Presbytery Church (USA)

 

A breakdown of the distribution of the $40.79 that is due for each member is as follows:

 

General Assembly    $6.50

Synod                          5.46

Presbytery                 28.83

                                 $40.79

 

As of Dec. 31, 2009, we reported 246 active members; thus we have an outstanding bill to Presbytery in the amount of $10,034.34. Please help us offset this cost by contributing $40.79 for each active member. If you have any questions, please call Anne Tiernan at 206.241.2426.

 

Thank you for your continued support!

 

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Ash Wednesday, an Invitation...
 

Ash Wednesday, an Invitation...

please come to the sanctuary, Wednesday, March 9, at 7 p.m.
for a service of contemplation, reflection, turning around...
a service of music, meditation and communion
the imposition of ashes... atonement
Come

 

 

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News from the Presbyterian Women
 

We are busy setting the calendar of events for 2011. Please save March 6 for the Alice Winters Auction. Filled baskets, homemade goods and baked cookies, cakes, etc will be needed, so please start thinking about what you can bring. It is always a success and helps a worthy cause.

 

Oct. 8 will be the church dinner and auction. Last year, everyone had a great time and we are looking forward to another success.

 

New air coffee pots are being purchased for the kitchen. We are open to suggestions for others things needed.

 

Thank you all for your support.
Gerry Flaten

 

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What Is Missional Knitting?
 

Is it possible to combine a passion for knitting with a compassion for the health of the Ugandans?

Yes! Sharon Larson has found a way. She knits socks, fingerless mittens, etc. (maybe you have seen her knitting in the choir loft or pew), and uses the proceeds from the sale of those items to fund a Clean Water Spring for Uganda.

 

She has reached her goal of providing sufficient resources for her first Spring, and has nearly completed enough for a second Spring! She intends to continue indefinitely. Interested in hand-crafted knitwear and at the same time supporting the Uganda mission? Talk to Sharon.

 

Good work, Sharon.

 

Don Weber, elder

 

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Lecture Series
 

The Lecture Series of University Congregational United Church of Christ presents J. Philip Newell. A New Harmony: the Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul

 

Friday, Feb. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The Ancient Harmony

 

Saturday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., two lectures:

The Broken Harmony and The New Harmony

 

Advance tickets Friday and Saturday, $50

Friday only $15

Saturday only $50

Tickets at the door, $60 space available

For ticket information, contact the Lecture Series at www.universityucc.org or call 206.524.6255m ext, 3447, or [email protected].

J. Philip Newell is a poet, a scholar and a teacher. Formerly warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is internationally acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, including his best known titles Listening for the Heartbeat of God and his poetic book of prayer Sounds of the Eternal. He has played a leading role on both sides of the Atlantic, in the rebirthing of a creation spirituality for today. His book, Christ of the Celts: The Healing of Creation was published in 2008.

 

Several members of LBPC's congregation are planning to attend. Call Sally Mackey (206.243.3338) for carpool information.

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Everyone Invited!
 

Come join Outriggers social group for a games/dessert potluck evening at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Fireside Room. All ages are welcome. Bring your favorite game and dessert. If you need more information, call Penny or John Hickman at 206.248.1623.

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Hospitality House's Spring Fling Dinner and Fundraiser

 10th anniversary logo for HH 

Featuring Boats for Beds Auction

Saturday, March 5 at 6 p.m.

Highline Community College Student Union

Information: hospitalityhousesouthking.org or

Call Priscilla Stephenson (206.242.8037) or Linda Shaw (206.244.2457)

 

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News From the Deacons

  

The past year was a busy one for the Deacons: visiting and helping those in our congregation, gathering food and turkeys for seven families. We hope that will expand this year.

 

The congregation was very generous this year and over $3800 was given to Family and Adult Center, NW Harvest, Highline Food Bank, Orphan Relief and Rescue, Haiti Relief, Thanksgiving baskets and the pastor's discretionary fund. Please keep up your support, there is so much need.

 

We will have new officers in February. Please give them your prayers and support.

Gerry Flaten

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Hospitality House Needs

Hospitality House H 

If you or someone you know is moving or downsizing, please consider donating household items in good condition to Hospitality House. Graduates of the program are given household "Starter Kits" which include certain basic items:

 

The following items can be used:

 

hand towels                   pot holders

frying pans                     sauce pans with lids

mixing bowls                  dishes, 2 to 4 place settings

colander                         silverware, 2 to 4 place settings

laundry basket               glasses, cups/saucers - 2 to 4

knives                             can openers, manual

tea kettle                        cooking utensils

storage containers         silverware tray

dish rack                         bake ware

New, or nearly new, clean bedding sets, sheet sets

 

PLEASE DONATE CLEAN ITEMS IN GOOD CONDITION

 

There will be a box to receive donations in the Fellowship Hall near the Hospitality House News bulletin board. Or, call Peggy Meyer at 206.242.2422 for pick up.

 

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The 2011 Urban Poverty Forum

"Poverty and Institutional Racism"

February 13, Town Hall, 1:00 p.m.

 

The annual Urban Poverty Forum exists to deepen the dialogue about the systemic issues surrounding urban poverty and to unite a diverse community of care working together to address the problems faced by the poorest among us.  This year's Forum will include a dramatic piece on discrimination, presenters on discrimination in law enforcement, immigration, and resourcing of neighborhoods, plus a faith perspective from Kris Rocke of the Center for the Transforming Mission.  More information at www.urbanpovertyforum.org/

(Reservations at www.brownpapertickets.com)

 

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From the Health Care Team
 

Six ways to banish your worries at bedtime

If worry is robbing you of precious sleep, you're not alone. Nearly 25 percent of adults complain that worries keep them tossing and turning at night, according to a 2005 Gallup survey. Fortunately, there are effective steps you can take to ease your anxieties and get some restful sleep. Below are six strategies that you may find helpful.

1.       Keep a diary in which you describe your preoccupations and tensions. Watch for signs that you are making your worries worse by such habits as emphasizing the worst aspects of situations, assuming that bad outcomes will always happen, or setting yourself up for disappointment because of unrealistic expectations. Work to change these thought habits, especially when worries keep you awake.

2.      Set aside a worry time. Each day, set aside a time to think about what's worrying you. Spend 10 to 20 minutes mulling over these problems and thinking of solutions, then put them aside. At night, when a worry surfaces, tell yourself you have done your worrying for the day, and postpone fretting until next day's worry time.

3.      Make a list of your worries. Write down each problem or fear, along with a description of what you plan to do to resolve it. When you find yourself worrying at bedtime, remind yourself that you have already made plans to address your problems, and turn your thoughts to something else.

4.      List the worries you can do nothing about. Writing down fears about problems you cannot control may help you realize that fretting about concerns like global warming at 2 a.m. accomplishes nothing. Remind yourself that you have no control over the problem, and can think about it again after a good night's sleep.

5.      Keep a pad and pencil near the bed to jot down reminders. If worrying you'll forget to do something the next day keeps you awake, jot down a note about what you need to remember and then let the thought go.

6.      Use relaxation techniques. Concentrate on your breathing. Or focus on progressively tensing and relaxing your muscles from head to toe to relax your body before sleep. Visualization-picturing yourself in a peaceful place where worries are far away and gently forcing your mind to return to the image each time worries intrude-can also help you doze off.

Source: Massachusetts General Hospital, Mind, Mood and Memory, July 2007

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