REFORMATION DAY

 

On Sunday, October 28, 2012, we celebrated Reformation Day--a day commemorating Dr. Martin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 21, 1517. This act triggered the movement in world history known as the Reformation, as well as the beginning of some major theological shifts within the church. 

 

The liturgical color for Reformation Day is red, and on this Sunday at Faith, we celebrate Confirmation--the tradition in which young people affirm their baptisms in the presence of their church families. 

 

This Reformation Day, Noah Markwood and Kolby Olson affirmed their baptisms during the service. As part of their preparation for this act, we ask them to prepare a statement that in some way authentically articulates their faith. Each of their statements is included below.

  

Noah Markwood

   I can't remember my earliest memories here at Faith because I have just always been here. Some of the people who are most important to me in my faith are Nana and Papa, my dad, Bill and Marjorie Burkitt, and Pastor Sharon. One of my favorite experiences was the youth trip to the Oregon Coast-I remember the readings we would do at night down on the beach around the fire.

   One of my favorite things to do is go camping and fishing, so when I was thinking about my favorite passages from the Bible, I thought of Matthew 4:18-20: "As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

 

Kolby Olson

   My first memories at Faith will always be special to me. Some of my first memories include thinking our old pastor, Dick Christensen, was God; standing with my whole family before church and watching them talk to other members of the congregation; and at the end of church, trying to beat my brothers to the social hall for food. I usually lost. I have lots of great memories from Sunday School to Christmas programs to Youth activities.

   

  

 Email the garden team at: 

community.garden@faithbellingham.org

 

"Believing in the essential goodness of the earth, Faith Community Garden aims to promote stewardship, foster community, and address local hunger by offering garden space for our neighbors, the greater community, and members of the church."

 

Go. Remember. Serve.

 

Each month in the life at Faith brings new gifts. During October, we welcomed Rev. G. Lee Kluth, Director of Congregational Relations at PLU--sharing his energetic storytelling, his infectious laughter, and his teaching. We celebrated St. Luke, the physician, and honored the healthcare workers. We baptized Lucas Cole Greene, welcoming him into his faith family, promising to love and support him, and re-telling the story that reminds us who we are and whose we are. We celebrated the Reformation by standing with Noah Markwood and Kolby Olson as they affirmed their baptisms. And on the first Sunday of November, we remembered all the saints who have gone before us--the great cloud of witnesses--especially those members of our faith community who have died in the past year: Mike Holl, Ruth Lumbert, Edgar May, Velma Morrison, Harold Russell, Darlene Sager, and Arlene Stephan.

 

As always we gathered, we ate, we shared the stories, and we prayed.

And...we are grateful.