Coming Soon!
Oct 3 – Saturday Memorial Service for Nancy Brewin 11 a.m.
Oct 4 - Sunday Sunday School and Worship Service 10:45 a.m
World Communion Sunday
Sermon “This Man Job”
Oct 6 – Tuesday Administrative Board meeting 7 p.m.
Everyone is welcome
Oct 6 Tuesday Bryn Mawr Community Womens Club 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Oct 10 Saturday Pet Blessing 10 a.m.
Oct 10 Saturday Baby Shower 1 – 5 p.m.
Oct 11 – Sunday Sunday School and Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Sermon: “What Jesus Said to the Rich Man”
Oct 13-19 Tues-Mon Pastor Shalom at Academy
Oct 18 - Sunday Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Sermon: “We Are All Priests!”
Oct 16 - 31 Meals for ARISE – feeding the hungry at Daystar Baptist Church
Oct 25 - Sunday Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
Sermon “What Faith Can Do”
Movie afternoon
Oct 28 – Wednesday Cluster meeting 10 a.m.
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Editorial
by June Click
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I |
f you don’t know what “depression thinking” is, I can tell you. I know this, because I was there. What it is, if you’re using a product that doesn’t work very well but you keep using it because you spent good money for it and then a friend kindly gives you a product that does work, you feel compelled to keep on using the first one all up because you spent good money for it and you don’t want to waste anything.
Depression thinking protects us, but it also gets in the way of future commitment. If the Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise. It’s based on contingencies. What if I lose my job? How can we pay the rent? And how on earth can we pledge to the church if we don’t know what we’ll have? It’s like looking at a blue sky bruised by dark clouds.
A sense of thrift is a good thing, but let’s not get carried away. Let’s face it—we never really know if we will have anything. But it doesn’t stop us from getting up in the morning and following our usual day; it doesn’t keep us from planning to go to the grocery store and the bank and the dry cleaners. How do we know we’ll live long enough to do any of those things? Is this blind faith?
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f course it is. We use blind faith every day, although we may not call it that or even be aware of it. We press “send” on our cell phone, and we don’t stop to analyze the mechanism it uses. So why do we question the mechanism that God uses? We don’t have to know how it works.
Nature surrounds us with God’s overflowing abundance, a wealth depleted only by humans. Every plant, every creature, is given what it needs. But, you say, the lilies of the field don’t have to pay rent! Well said, but if they did, God would surely provide it. We each are given what we need. What is missing is what we don’t need. Our definition of abundance may not be God’s definition, but faith is the most essential ingredient. One of the psalms says, “Before you were born, I was with you,” and it’s not Comcast talking. Like sending the cell phone message, we reach for God and know that God is there.
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Dialogue with Dr. David
For many years I have said, “October is the month we attend church at our own risk!” The reason? We talk about money! Not that we don’t emphasize our time, our talents, and our service.
But money is the rub! We would do about anything but “cough up” our money. And folks, the Holy Scriptures make it plain. Listen to the prophet Malachi:
“We have robbed God. How? By refusing to give our tithes and our offerings.” And by the tithe the prophet means 10%. And the prophet goes on to speak on behalf of God: “Just try me, be daring and give the tenth and see how the heavens will open and God will pour down upon us a blessing so huge we can hardly imagine it.”
So we’ll talk about stewardship the next few weeks. Then Pledge Certificates will be sent to all of us the Monday after the last Sunday in October. You’ll be asked to bring your pledge to us the first Sunday in November. Let’s do it!
Lots of love,
Pastor David
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Our homilist is Gloria Kymn
by Lila Rayl
“God is good” (response) “All the time”
“All the time” (response) “God is Good”
A positive and affirming beginning to the services at Bryn Mawr under Rev. Gloria Kymn when she was our minister starting in 1996, and again as she spoke to us Sep 27. She served for a short time here as the conference saw her potential and had plans for her career. She is now the pastor at Everett UMC. She was especially interested in the youth and had a confirmation class and retreat and went on retreats with the youth as well. The youth started organizing the giving to Christmas families under her leadership. A contemporary band and music was started with the Rainier Beach UMC.
On Sep. 27 she said Bryn Mawr was her first charge and is still her “first love”. She spoke to us of the community of people of God and love for God and one another with confidence of prayer. She said Rev. David is a man of prayer and that prayer has a contagious power. Rev. Gloria led us by expressing “prayer” and the people responded “power”.
When Rev. Gloria was at Bryn Mawr, every day she went into the sanctuary and prayed for each of the Bryn Mawr members. It was wonderful to see her again and to see her growth in leadership and faith and still see the positive, delightful, thoughtful person she is.
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The
Lord God loves them all
Some of us think our pets are members of the family, and the Church—inspired by St. Francis—sets aside a time to accommodate that. Each year at Bryn Mawr—inspired by a pastor who considers animals people—we celebrate a Blessing of Pets and Animals.
This year on Oct 3 at 10 a.m. we will celebrate a Blessing of the Animals followed by refreshments. Let’s all be here for this happy celebration. But please be sure your pet is attached to a suitable restraint. We all love animals, but they don’t always like each other.
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Meals for A.R.I.S.E.
by Lila Rayl
Bryn Mawr has committed to furnishing meals for the ARISE
program for the two-week period from Oct. 16 to Oct. 31. This program has
provided shelter and food to the homeless men of the Renton area for more than
two and a half years, and is sponsored by the Renton Ecumenical Association of
Churches (REACH), of which Bryn Mawr is a member. These men are screened before
they are accepted into the program, and most of them are employed; they just
don’t earn enough money to provide housing for themselves.
Churches in the community provide shelter for the program for a month at a time, and other churches provide meals. During the last two weeks in October, Bryn Mawr will provide the meals for approximately 25 men who will be sleeping at Daystar Baptist Church. We will deliver their evening meal and serve it at 9 p.m. We will also provide their breakfast, which consists of cold cereal, milk, and juice, and we will prepare their lunches. The men serve themselves breakfast and collect their sack lunch from the church refrigerator, so we make only one trip a day.
Lots of volunteers are needed to make this commitment a success. There are meals to cook, meals to be delivered and served, and supplies to be purchased and sorted for each day. Simple meals such as spaghetti, stew, macaroni and cheese are the menus the men prefer. Salad, bread, milk, juice, and dessert complete the evening meal. The sack lunches consist of two sandwiches (one of which is peanut butter and jam), fresh fruit (apples or bananas), and cookies.
Let me know how you want to contribute to this mission. I can be reached at 206-772-0251. We definitely need everyone’s help in this important ministry for the homeless.
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Christian Stewards…
are those who awaken to God’s abundant, freely given grace permeating all creation. As expressions of their awareness, stewards choose to enter into active partnership with God and others to lovingly care for every gift of grace that God entrusts to them. As stewards grow in this partnership, every dimension of their lives becomes a witness of the living Christ and a channel for God’s grace poured out to all.
—The “working definition” of Christian stewards, presented by the Stewardship Emphasis, PNW Annual Conference.
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Bring flowers
The 2009 flower calendar is in place in the social hall,
just waiting for you to sign up for a date to bring flowers. Dates are open
through December. And flowers on the altar are more than a decoration, they are
a sacrificial offering. You may take them home after the service if you wish.
Or your offering can have a radiant double life. Walt Russell provided flowers in memory of his wife, Beverly, and then he had them delivered to a nursing home after the service. And Harold Booker’s friend, Branda Luke, has been fighting cancer for almost two years, and after every chemo treatment Harold had a bouquet of flowers waiting for her when she returned home. Branda recently asked Harold to provide the flowers to the church instead of to her—so now Harold’s flowers will be an offering to the church in honor of Branda.
So you see, the altar flowers are a significant contribution to worship and to life.
Barbeque is spelled A-l-v-i-n
On Sep. 13 we were treated to one of Alvin Little’s celebrated barbeque meals—ribs, sausages, salads, and a wonderful cake welcoming Pastor David back from vacation. Alvin’s meals are outstanding. Let’s hope somebody doesn’t have to go away and come back before we can have another one!
Movie afternoons
The last Sunday of each
month is a good time for showing movies after the social hour, and we have
Kevin Leach who is happy to go to the trouble of showing them for us—popcorn,
soft drinks, and entertainment—sounds great!
The movie on Sep. 27 was The Ten Commandments, a reissue of the historic venture described in the Book of Exodus. Films that feature the flight from Egypt are usually best remembered for the spectacular Red Sea crossing, and this is always a memorable scene. But two simple lines of dialogue seem notable in that they become a metaphor for the story itself—in the burning bush scene God tells Moses, “It’s you I’ve chosen”; and later Moses tells his father-in-law, “I never asked for this.” These words reflect the entire history of God and humanity.
If you have a special movie request, speak to Kevin.
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Christmas Bazaar and Silent Auction
Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The Bryn Mawr Annual Bazaar will feature vendors offering
gifts, candles, etc.; and the ever-popular bake sale with all the yummy
goodies. Lunch will be available to purchase, and once again we will have the
exciting silent auction. Sandy Laugen works hard to organize the auction, and
it creates a lot of interest. Tell all your friends and neighbors about our
bazaar and be sure to put the date on your calendar.
We could really use help with making signs and flyers, posting them, and taking them down. If you can help in any way, please call Kathy Edmund (206-772-1273).
If you would like to donate a new item or a service that would make for some exciting bidding, please call Sandy Laugen (206-772-2558). If you have other questions about the bazaar, call Kathy. Start planning your items that you would like to donate to the bake sale, too. We can always use lots!
One
hundred great years!
Bryn Mawr is truly a church that grew from its own roots, and many of those who planted it still live on in their descendants. We plan a great celebration Nov, 14 to honor our 100th birthday and all those (which is pretty much all of us!) who have made this a great church. This special event will be at the Spirit of Washington Event Center at 233 Barnett South in Renton. There will be a great dinner and a great program, and we all want to be there. For more information, call the church office or Patty Edmund at 206-772-1273.
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We love our cheerleaders! However…
even with Pastor David there,
Renton didn’t have a prayer
by Sandy Laugen
On Fri., Sep. 25 the Renton-Hazen football game was
attended by about 20 loyal Bryn Mawr supporters. We all sat together and
cheered mightily, especially for “our” cheerleaders, Khristian and Chessy
Jourdan. The evening was pleasant and time went quickly.
The final score was not in our favor—Hazen 27, Renton 20—but we all had a great evening. The half-time entertainment was provided partly by the Hazen drill team, who have won awards for their performance.
But we love our cheerleaders! We are proud of them!
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Women make things happen
The first Tuesday of each month finds the social hall at Bryn Mawr alive with activity. The Bryn Mawr Women’s Community Club meets here then, planning and executing projects supporting community agencies and efforts. Both work and financial contributions make a difference to such agencies as the Skyway Fire Department, Lakeridge Garden Entrance, and our own Bryn Mawr Church. One of the projects involves creating items for Pediatric Interim Care Center, making life better for babies. And bringing canned food for the food bank is an ongoing endeavor. And occasionally they have guest speakers enlarging on various subjects of community interest.
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A word from Paul Jeffrey
our photojournalist/missionary
Excerpted from the “New World Outlook,” Sep-Oct 2009
With both words and images, I tell stories of how people
struggle for dignity, how they fall in love with God, how they laugh when all I
want to do is weep. My ministry as a photographer often involves shooting
images of people going through traumatic moments. This doesn’t mean I’m a
voyeur. I do this because I strongly believe it’s important for people in the
Global North to understand the harsh reality lived by people in the Global
South.
When I wander through the camps, I am repeatedly overwhelmed by the hospitality of the poor. Those who have literally nothing are quick to offer what they have—a cup of tea or a patch of shade—to a pale and sweaty stranger with a camera. Their dignity is a strong dissuasion from thinking of them as mere victims. Most human beings bear an enormous reserve of dignity, even when raped, robbed, chased from their homes, and herded into camps. They are not hopeless objects of our mission but dignified historical subjects, partners with us in making God’s compassion and justice real. That’s good theology. And good theology deserves good images.
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Join
the group!
Did you know there’s an early Sunday morning coffee group? It happens in the social hall before Sunday morning worship, and it’s all about friendship, fellowship, and conversation, and anybody can join! So far, we include Kitty Buckner; Bill and Jenny Byers; Alvin Little; Vivian Lee; Kevin Leach; Tina Frazier; Pete Balss; and a few others who come early for coffee and talk. If you want to add your name, all you have to do is be there!
Administrative Board meeting
. The Administrative Board meeting will be Tuesday, Oct 6
at 7 p.m., and everyone is invited. These meetings are intended to promote the
well-being of our church and its congregation, and if you have productive
suggestions, the Council will be glad to entertain them.
Annual Charge Conference
On Tues, Nov. 10, we will have our annual charge conference, beginning with supper at 6 p.m. the purpose of this meeting is to review and evaluate the mission and ministry of the church, receive reports, and adopt objectives recommended by the council that are in keeping with the objectives of The United Methodist Church.
This meeting is a necessary tool in maintaining both the spiritual and financial values of a local church. It is our church. Its direction depends upon our participation. Let’s all arrange to be here.
Nightwatch — Sock Delivery
Bring clean socks for Operation Nightwatch until Oct. 25. This is a street ministry that has served Seattle at night for many years, and the socks are for street people whose feet stay wet all winter. We have a history of donating more socks than any other church! We are asked to include women’s socks also. Linda Gil does a great job of helping with this ministry.
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What is a Methodist?
Good stewards
John Wesley said, “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” Prudent stewardship of all God’s earthly resources is the responsibility of all persons, and that applies to both natural resources and financial resources. Since all we have is a gift from God, we are obliged to make best use of it. One of the best ways involves offering our prayers, our presence, and our gifts to our church!
The United Methodist Book of Resolutions reminds us that God has promised many blessings if people will live by biblical standards involving the management of that which God has given us. It points out that God gives back to you in the same measure that you give to God. God will pour out so much blessing you will not have enough room for it.
The concept of tithing may have been lost in the rush to gain more, but the biblical sense of tithing—ten percent of your first fruits—has always been the best way to grow spiritually in stewardship. The work of the church goes forward only on the wheels of support, and Bryn Mawr Methodist is a church that always honors the call to God’s service.
October Birthdays
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4 |
Leslie |
Jacobs |
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17 |
Jerome |
Shepard |
|
4 |
Rex |
Perez |
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20 |
Mitchell |
Mondala |
|
7 |
Richard |
Edmund |
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20 |
Brandon |
Schultz |
|
7 |
Jerome |
Perez |
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21 |
Roy |
Jourdan |
|
8 |
Carly |
Schultz |
|
22 |
Harold |
Booker |
|
12 |
Hollie |
Sanders |
|
22 |
Debbie |
Vang |
|
12 |
Lila |
Rayl |
|
23 |
Beth |
Harper |
|
13 |
Christian Paul |
Canlas |
|
28 |
Jayme |
Armstrong |
|
15 |
Jamie |
Cabaccang |
|
28 |
Tina |
Frazier |
|
15 |
Jose |
Fausto |
|
31 |
Alice |
Donovan |
If we have overlooked your birthday, please let us know.