Ravenna United Methodist Church, Seattle, WA

5751 33rd Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105 (corner of 33rd Ave. NE and NE 60th St.)
(See the map for the approximate location or click here for directions.)

Scripture readings for July 27th, Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost (UM Kingdomtide),

Our language is inclusive. Dress is casual, and coffee and refreshments in the parlor afterward allow everyone a chance to get to know one another and to talk with our minister. Children are welcome, and childcare is available for smaller kids.

St. Ignatius Catholic Community's Pancake Banquet after Worship on July 27th in the Parlor
This coming Sunday after Worship services, the St. Ignatius Catholic Community have invited us to share in a pancake banquet being prepared by them in the parlor, in celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius, their patron saint. Please join us in celebrating with them.

Sunday Adult Education
Currently, our Adult Education class is focusing on the sermons of John Wesley (1703-1791), who founded Methodism (1739). Many of his published sermons (of which there are several printed volumes) either were rewritten from those he had preached or were written specifically for print. Previously, our class evaluated one of his other written works, "The Character of a Methodist" (1872), a viliant "desire" by Wesley to have Methodism "not to be distinquished at all"..."from real Christians, of whatsoever denomination they be"..."who sincerely follow after what they know they have not yet attained." Rev. James Davidson is coordinating the class.

Our On-going Missional Events
Let us not forget that there is still an urgent need to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. These are trying times and some people who have never needed help before, may very well need it now. Let's not be complacent and think that everything is fine and well, just because we, ourselves, are doing fine and well.

Newly elected Bishop Hagiya has been appointed to the Seattle Episcopal area
The Rev. Grant Hagiya of Redondo Beach, CA, elected a bishop by the Western Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church on July 18, has been assigned to the Seattle-based Pacific Northwest Conference, it was announced July 19. A former district superintendent in Los Angeles, Hagiya, 56, is most recently executive director of Leadership Development and the Center of Leadership Excellence, a joint project of the church's California-Pacific Annual Conference and the Claremont School of Theology. His new assignment becomes effective September 1, filling in the vacancy Bishop Grant Hagiya created by the resignation of Bishop Edward Paup, who has been elected to lead the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the church's mission agency.

Stanovsky elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church on July 19th
The Rev. Elaine J.W. Stanovsky of Seattle has been elected a bishop by the Western
Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church. Stanovsky, 54,
Superintendent of the Seattle-Tacoma District, was elected a bishop on July 19. She
is the last of eight new U.S. bishops elected this week at five jurisdictional meetings
across the United States. She will fill one of two openings in the church's Western
Jurisdiction. The Rev. Grant Hagiya, of Redondo Beach, CA., will fill the other
after being elected on July 18.

"I claim my baptism this day and the special callings to which God has called me,"
said an emotional Stanovsky after her election was announced. "...May God lead us
faithfully in the name of Jesus Christ. Bishop Elaine J.W.Stanovsky
Bishop Hagiya

TGIFFF (Thank God, It Friday, Food and Friends) Potluck held July 11th at Shannon Buzard's
Our monthly potluck and gathering took place outdoors in Shoreline near Richmond Beach at the home of Shannon Buzard. Tasty BBQ ribs of beef and pork were the main menu fare this time around, since her two boys, Matt (10) and Kevin (8), knew what would fatten up all the attendees and prevent them from going home hungry and complaining that they didn't get enough to eat. Of course, this type of fare, also has a tendency to make one quite sleepy afterwards as well, especially given how hot the day had been. Roasting (or charring) marshmellows and conversing over the open fire pit that the boys helped to maintain and kept going by clearing all the fallen leaves made for an very enjoyable evening. Matt offered a suggestion of what he thought was a good way to put out the fire, but we all thought better of that. :)

The Greater 33rd Avenue Independence Day (4th of July) Block Party
Though the weather wasn't easy to judge, this annual block party and fun-filled event and competition was held outdoors on the 4th, as planned. Allison Fitzgerald, who has a junior girl scout troop that meets monthly in our building, was the coordinator of this year's event. RUMC was able to again provide additional tables and chairs for the breakfast and dinner. Our building, of course, was also the emergency back-up event location (in the Fellowship Hall in the basement) had the weather not cooperated. The fire engine parade opened the eventful day, which included gutterboats and pinewood derby cars. The H2O go-round (a carefully engineered recirculating water system for the gutterboat regatta) saved hundred of gallons of water and big bucks. This block party is open to all who live in the 5500 and 5700 blocks of 31st, 33rd and 34th Avenues as well as to others who have taken part in the past celebrations. That includes all who attend RUMC!!! So, anticipate attending next year.

held June 29th
This year, RUMC, had two tables in the Fisher Pavilion to inform the community of our committment to reach out to those who are seeking to find a church that they can call home, regardless of a person's differences, where they feel welcomed and can share in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. We believe that our efforts were successful. Shannon Buzard, along with her sons Matt and Kevin, Greg Wheeler and Bill Brammer were all there to represent RUMC.

20th Annual Pride Week Breakfast held June 28th at Central Lutheran Church
Dignity/Seattle, a faith community of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender Catholics who meet monthly in our building for liturgies and prayer services, hosted another of their wonderful pancake breakfast fundraisers during Gay Pride weekend. They have been sponsoring these breakfast events for the last 20 years. Excellent food, good company, and great raffle prizes were all present. Proceeds will benefit Multifaith Works (AIDS & life-threatening illness social services), Verbena (women's health services) as well as Dignity/Seattle. Thank you, Dignity, for your support in the community.

PNW Annual Conference held June 17-29th in Moscow, ID
This was the 135th annual session of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. This year's annual conference met at the Kibbie Dome of the University of Idaho in Moscow. Shannon Buzard was our representative at this year' conference meeting to discuss various legislation of the Conference. This was the last Conference that Bishop Paup will preside over. Bishop Paup leaves September 1 to be the General Secretary of the United Methodist's General Board of Global Ministries. We wish him well in his new position.

Thanks, Rev. James Davidson, for doing a wonderful job of filling in as our interim minister and providing the guidance we need during our Sunday Adult Education classes. Along with Melissa O'Neal, our Music Director, and Fr. Philip Knowles of St. Ignatius Catholic Community ECC, who not long ago guided us through a literary study of the book of Genesis for Adult Education, we are grateful for all the planning and effort that you all have successfully put together for our Sunday morning and Ecumenical worship services and for all our upcoming celebrations, events and studies.

Also, let us give a shout out to our gifted Musical Director sub, Brie Warren, in Melissa's absence and to the efforts of Shannon Buzard, our RUMC rep. (among other titles), who has taken on task after task to make sure we, as a church and faith community, are a more visible presence in the community and are communicating with those who are seeking a place to worship and be welcomed. Not only was she our rep at this year's PNWConference Annual Meeting in Moscow, ID, Shannon was instrumental this year, as well as last year, in ensuring our church's participation in Seattle PrideFest at the Seattle Center and the spreading of our message that we truly are a church and congregation that is dedicated to an open hearts-doors-minds policy of inclusiveness where all can gather under any rainbow despite our individual differences.
There are of course many others; thanks for all your efforts.

Though the demand for coats and socks may have decreased given the warmer weather of summer, our collection efforts for these items will continue in order to ensure that these needs are better met once demand again increases.

Unfortunately, hunger isn't in decline at this time and seems to be rising. Many food banks report that donations are noticeably down. Therefore, we thankfully ask that "if you can, spare a can."

Our three Missional Events currently taking place to help:

We'll be collecting warm, dry pairs of socks to distribute to those who find themselves out in the wet and cold weather, especially during the fall and wintery weather common around here ;

If you have a extra coat or two hanging in your closet that you no longer need or that you're willing to give away to those having to deal with next season's wintery weather, now would be a good time to clean out your closets. These coats, which will contain a small note inside wishing them "warmth" from our church community, will then be handed out and distributed to several local charitable groups; and

Non-perishable food items are being collected and are being distributed to our local food banks (e.g. the University District Food Bank) and an emergency food fund. Newly-purchased packages of toiletries, personal items, and laundry supplies are always appreciated and can be donated as well. And don't forget about all the hungry pets and the supplies they need.

Please remember those people in our community who are hungry, who are struggling to make ends meet, or who are having difficulties by giving generously and often. There's always a need, especially as the temperatures gradually decrease and food becomes less plentiful. All donated items will be collected at the church on Sundays from 9:15 AM - 12 Noon, or by contacting either Greg Wheeler at 206.949.8295 or Candace N'Diaye at 865.661.4066 to make other arrangements. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Church office: 206-525-7988