December 2008 Newsletter 

Central Lutheran Church phone: (360) 734-7180 fax: (360) 734-0788                   
925 North Forest St., Bellingham, WA 98225
email: office@centrallutheran.net
website: http://www.centrallutheran.net
118 years of Sharing God's love in the heart of Bellingham 

Bishop’s Message
Presiding Bishop’s Statement on 2008 Presidential Election

Americans have chosen a new president in an historic election. I congratulate Senator Obama on his election to our nation’s highest office, and express gratitude to Senator McCain for his continuing commitment to public service. I commend both for participating in our nation’s democratic process, which serves our venerable tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.
We look to the future as a nation troubled by economic crisis and continuing wars. Such complex realities call for both humility and ingenuity. In the midst of these challenges, we as Lutherans also look to the future as a community of faith and a people of hope. We bring to the public square a longstanding and effective commitment to serve our neighbors and a conviction that government is instrumental in God’s purpose for humanity when public officials work for justice, peace, order and the common good.
Scripture is clear about what should matter to us as Christians in public life: hospitality to strangers, concern for people in poverty, peacemaking and care for creation. From these core biblical values, I appeal to President-elect Obama to establish the following priorities for his administration: a response to the current economic crisis with special focus on low-income people, a robust diplomatic effort to restore U.S. credibility abroad, a fulfillment of the promised U.S. funding share of the Millennium Development Goals, strong support for alternative energy research to end our dependence on oil and establish a new green economy, fair and humane immigration reform, and serious re-engagement with a peace process for Palestinians and Israelis.
I call on all members of this church to join me in committing to work with this new administration across the broad spectrum of our Lutheran partnerships and networks. Remain active in public service, be in conversation with each other and within your communities on these issues, and engage members of Congress and this administration through this church’s advocacy ministry. Pray for President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden, and their families, and for their work and service on behalf of our country.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Pastor's Page

Grace and peace to
All the saints-and-sinners
Of Central Lutheran Church:

Greetings in Christ!

Happy New Year! Yes indeed, it’s that time again. While the commercial world ends its calendar year with the Christmas shopping season (its two biggest days being the days after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), we Christians begin our liturgical year weeks before Christmas Day. Our new year begins with the First Sunday in Advent; this year it is November 30th. “Advent” is the fancy religious word for “arrival.” In Advent, we anticipate Jesus’ first arrival on Christmas morning and we also anticipate Jesus’ second arrival. Both days are full of mystery. At Christmas God transcends the edge of creation and enters our lives as a fully human creature. At the Second Advent, God de-constructs creation and creates a new creation where we transcend the edges of humanity and are brought into God’s presence. Advent is not about being there—Advent is about getting ready to be there. Advent is about preparing to greet Jesus in our hearts and minds and lives.
So Advent is a busy time. The altar cloths are changed to blue paraments—the color of anticipation and hope! We get busy readying our homes and church for the great celebration of Christmas. Only Easter Day is more important to Christians. So we decorate this, and clean up that. We try to make sure those less fortunate than ourselves can also be prepared for the celebration: we give to this and donate to that, not stinting on either energy or resources. Yet the preparations we make on our surroundings are only symbolic of the preparations we are challenged to make within ourselves. The Advent preparations we make within ourselves extend far beyond the celebration of a single day. We begin each year with Advent in order to prepare ourselves (and to help the world prepare) to greet Jesus each day of the year—for all the years of the rest of our lives—and forever.
On the Sunday closest to our beginning together, I remind the congregation of a challenge I posed when I first came, in order that we might be prepared for each new day. Do you remember what that three-part challenge is? Now, I know some of you don’t need me to give it voice or description; the fact that some of you have accepted this challenge is visible in your witness. For the record, I also know I haven’t won over everyone to the cause … yet. The three-fold challenge is 1) read your Bible at least 5 minutes every day, 2) give thanks before every meal, and 3) pray for your church’s ministry.
These aren’t simply random disciplines; they’re specifically chosen to point us toward maturing in our individual and collective lives of faithfulness: that is, to prepare us to greet Jesus in every and any circumstance of every and any day. Taking on this challenge speaks of a willingness to open up our hearts and minds to the presence of Christ in us and Christ in those around us. The fact that what we get out of life is often equal to what we’re willing to invest in it is even truer in church life than in general. If we’re unwilling to involve our hearts and minds in church life, worship simply becomes a spectator event—entertainment. The three points of the challenge call us to be not spectators only, but participants: to actively seek out growing in faith and to understand God’s purpose for creation and for us, and our calling as Christians.
Let’s take a closer look at how that challenge prepares us as Christians: Five minutes a day spent reading the Bible (or another source of insight and intellectual growth) helps us to better understand God, connects us with the wisdom and practice of Godly living, and better equips us to speak God’s love to an otherwise non-listening world. Remembering to give thanks for each meal reminds us of the unique gift of grace, of God providing for us. In giving thanks we humbly acknowledge God’s extraordinary gifting of prosperity and hope, and that acknowledgment empowers us to share of our abundance, that all may know of Christ’s love. Praying for our ministry is the direct connection to the work we do as a congregation and, through the congregation, as the larger body of the Lutheran Church. Praying for each other reminds us of our need to be prayed for also. Judgment gives way to discernment, and forgiveness becomes more than something that Jesus does at us; it becomes what Jesus does through each of us for each other. Guess what? We all need to be upheld in prayer and be supported in our efforts, because we all continue to need forgiveness.
Does this sound like a lot of work? Well, Advent is a busy time and we’re called to get busy; there’s a lot to be done getting ready to celebrate Jesus’ coming into our world and our lives.

See you in Church.
Pastor Tim

Advent Preparation November 30th is the first Sunday in Advent. Join in the fun of a potluck after the second service and then help decorate the sanctuary and narthex for Advent and Christmas. Many hands will help accomplish much in little time. No experience needed!

Continued Office Help Needed! Erin is only back part time. Check out the sign-up sheet in the narthex to pick up a couple tasks here and there. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! Please accept our apologies for omitting the birthdays/anniversaries and parish record info this month, while we’re short-handed in the office.

1000 Quilts …The Fabric of Life

Every Thursday from January 8 to April 2: 1:00 to 9:00 PM

The 1000 Quilts program, Central Lutheran Church’s outreach mission to provide quilts to the homeless of Whatcom County, is an opportunity to gather together on a drop-in basis each Thursday to help make quilts for our community. Everyone is welcome!

In years past, Interfaith Coalition, the Church on the Street, and Soup’s On have been the primary recipients of our quilts.

Behind-the-scenes preparation has been ongoing since last year’s quilting. We’ve got lots of tops and backs that are ready to be put together with batting. You do not need to know how to quilt. Can you tie a knot? We need you! Would you like to sew with a machine? We need you! Coffee, tea, and munchies are provided, along with fun conversation and laughs.

If you have an hour to share with us, or more, please come and be a part of this much-appreciated project. Everyone is welcome: youth, college student youths, mature youth. ? (Did I mention youth of any age?)

We’re looking forward to seeing you and making hundreds of quilts together. Our closet is empty of finished quilts, and the cold weather will be coming. We have made over 1500 quilts in the four years we’ve been doing this, and they have all been given away. With the poor economy this year, there will possibly be an even greater need for quilts to keep people warm in our county.

Thank you for caring (and sharing your time) for others.

—Linda Callender

Angel Tree

This year, with the assistance of Marie Little and Carmen Solar, I, Betsy Solar, am the coordinator for the Angel Tree. As a part of my senior project, I have been researching poverty in Whatcom County and the types of social services that are available to aid those in need, with a main focus on local agencies and their impact on the community. It brings me great joy knowing that our churches give an amazing amount of support to our struggling families throughout the county, with projects such as this. The gifts we’ll be collecting will go to ESL families, as they have in the past few years. Our Angel Tree, and information about it, will be made available this upcoming week. I’d like to give a huge thank-you to the congregation for your continuous support and the faith you bring to our needy brothers and sisters. —Betsy Solar

Tired of solicitation phone calls—on landlines and cell phones? You can register yourself on the
Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov and can list up to three numbers.

Theologian James Nestingen on Lutheranism

On November 16 and 17, Kay Weber and Nelda Shick went to Fir-Conway to hear retired theologian James Nestingen talk about Lutheranism in the modern context and about how Lutheranism equips us for today.
Dr. Nestingen reminded us of Garrison Keillor, with his thousands of stories to prove the points he was trying to make. What makes a Lutheran, he said, is “justification by faith,” a process that makes Christians what Adam and Eve were meant to be, only better, by shaping our lives to what our lives were meant to be. It’s a way of bearing witness to Jesus. Jesus makes the offer and you accept it. As we witness, Christ is the subject, worker, and doer, and the Holy Spirit helps us speak life-giving words. On the second day, Dr. Nestingen talked about the use Lutherans are in the modern world. Each of us has four callings (vocations): in the family, in work, in citizenship, and in church membership. Relationships where we partner with God, bear a cross, and get a taste of the resurrection are central to our witness. We are to help shape lives and be a benefit to those we come in contact with. Being a grandparent is a wonderful way to witness. Dr. Nestingen also said it sometimes happens that those we love become God's face.
Kay and I left feeling good, equipped with expectations of service, hope, and love. — Nelda Shick

The Child in the Pew

(A member of the congregation got the following helpful information
on a laminated pew-card while a guest at another church.)

When little children come to church, adults sometimes wonder why! Actually, bringing children into the sanctuary is something like letting them eat at the dinner table. Even though their manners are far from elegant, it’s done in the hope that, given time, they’ll begin to feel a part of the family.

Children giggle, they poke, and they swing their legs simply because they’re children. But they also sing, pray and give with us. So this page is written to suggest that we adults should accept—even value—the children’s restlessness during worship, trusting that they are also learning:

• That it’s important to come to this place each Sunday
• That they belong to this special company of people
• That the sights and sounds and feels of the sanctuary are good, though not always understandable
• That something is expected of them in this place, and that they may respond in song, in prayer and in offering

Bringing a child to church can be a real exercise in aggravation for the parents. But then again, so are many other facets of parenting, and the rewards are well worth the effort. While we do not want our children to be disruptive or hamper the church’s worship, we must remember that baptized children are members of the church. Children should be among the worshiping people. They may not participate in just the same way adults do, but they are growing in understanding and learning to take their places in the church family.

Young children in worship may have bad moments, but it is their birthright as Christians to worship. Our satisfaction comes in later years when we see them stand in the midst of the church with a faith of their own.

ABC’s for parents and other adults

Arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Make sure your children can see. Let them sit on the aisle or the front pew.

Bring something soft and quiet for little ones to hold or look at: soft toys, crayons and paper, books.

Call a “practice session” at home. The Hymn of Praise, the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and many hymns can be practices to help children see that they are an important part of the worshiping community.

Decide on a clue to let children know to settle down.

Express joy at having children worship with you. Send an occasional smile in their direction.

Free yourself of anxieties. Relax!

Give prayers and thanks to God for a child’s presence.

Help parents of small children by showing your appreciation and your support of our community’s children.

Invite parents to sit with you so that you may assist with bottles, dropped toys, and teaching kids how to worship. Often the presence of another adult alerts a child to worshipful behavior.

Mission Sewing Report

Thank you all for your many donations to our project. They are greatly appreciated—by the mission sewers, of course, but even more by the recipients around the world.

These are the results for the fall shipment for 2008:

Quilts 78
School kits 48
Health kits 49
Layettes 46

Again our Sunday School children packed and tied the school kits. A special thank-you to you kids, and to your teachers. We are very happy to include you in God’s work.

—Pat Kenney

Present: Pastor Tim Whiteman, Randy Senf, Gary Moon, Bob Kenney, Judy Senf, Wendy Galasso, Marie Little, Candy Peterson, Grant Dalgliesh

President, Randy Senf, opened the meeting in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at
7:00 p.m.

Marie Little led devotions.

Minutes of the September meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report:
• Gary Moon reported that offerings were down about $2000 in September. Secretary, Erin Rush, has returned from maternity leave and will be paid in October. Randy Senf asked about pass-through contributions. Gary will check. Bob Kenney moved the report be accepted. Candy Peterson seconded it and the motion carried.
• Gary distributed a budget worksheet to each committee chairperson and explained the new format.

Pastor’s Report:
• Pastor Tim informed the council that the Jr. High and High School students are planning a Halloween Carnival for Sunday, October 26th.
• Follow-up on Congregational Retreat included
o Willing worker survey the last Sunday in October. Results to be tabulated and committee chair people MUST be sure to call on those who have volunteered.
o A goal is to have the membership list update completed in the next 6 months.

Committee Reports:
Property: Bob Kenney listed several areas of concern:
• The Intern House is nearly ready to rent. It still needs paint and continues to have plumbing issues. Daryl Akre helped with the sprinkler system
• Bob moved that the chairs in the downstairs hallway be discarded. Judy Senf seconded the motion. Discussion about ways to dispose of the chairs followed. Ideas included Craig’s List and/or putting them outside with a “free” sign. The motion carried.
• Letters identifying Central to be reinstalled
• On Saturday, October 25th Grant Dalgliesh will be leading a work party to run cable for cameras, video, sound for nursery, etc.
• A hole in the Rose Street House will be patched.
Youth: N/A
Stewardship/Evangelism: Pastor Tim will call a meeting with committee members
Fellowship: Candy Peterson stated that it’s time to reconvene and re-establish our small
groups. Those interested are invited to a Dessert Bar on October 27th. Pastor Tim
believes the coffee hour is going well.
Worship and Music: Judy Senf reported on upcoming events
• Church Christmas Decorating Party will be held after 2nd service on November 30th. A potluck lunch will be included in the festivities.
• The committee recommends there be no Thanksgiving Eve service and suggests members of Central either invite an empty nester, have a potluck gathering, or volunteer to help a charitable organization. Discussion followed. In the past, the Thanksgiving Eve service was an opportunity for our intern pastors to design one of their first worship services. Pastor Tim reported that there are ecumenical gatherings in the community that are poorly attended.
• Advent Services will be every Wednesday night and may include a soup and salad supper. It might coincide with KIDZ Club.
Education: Pastor Tim stated that the kids’ Sunday School and the Adult Class are
going strong.
Old Business:
• Diane Ecker is compiling the Advent Christmas Calendar. Please get information to her.
• Line items for the Willing Workers Survey were reviewed
• Discussion about Bishop Boerger’s visit included a suggestion from Gary Moon that we provide a Whatcom County Forum to share his mission outreach project. Pastor Tim will ask, through the cluster, if there is interest. Pastor Tim said he thinks the Bishop believes that we, at Central, are not so different in our beliefs as congregations around us. Central is, however, taking a leadership role in that we are speaking up and want to be heard. Randy suggested that we take a discussion of Word Alone “off the table” or move ahead at the next meeting. Wendy said that although some synod delegates come with an agenda, too many come only because their arms were twisted. The general population needs to speak up.
• Gary suggested that a one page synopsis of what happened at synod be presented at the next Congregational meeting and that time be allowed to read and respond with a “yes” or a “no” in order to get a pulse of our own congregation.
New Business:
• We currently have several council vacancies

The meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer at 8:40 p.m.

In His Service,
Marie Little, Recording Secretary

Updated on December 9, 2008

© 2008, Central Lutheran Church