BURLINGTON LUTHERAN CHURCH

THE BRIDGE February 2018

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at

times of challenge and controversy. -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Greetings, BLC! We can do hard things! The last Sunday of January you voted in an overwhelming show of support to adopt a welcome statement that sends a clear mes-sage to the hurting and marginalized – all are welcome at BLC. The adoption of this statement allows us to be endorsed by Rec-onciling Works ministry whose mission is to see reconciliation and inclusion for LGBTQ+ children of God. We will now be count-ed as one of their Reconciling in Christ churches. People will be able to find us and see that we are a safe place for everyone. It would be nice to think that such a statement were not neces-sary, it would also be nice to think that no one would oppose a wide welcome; but both are true. To acknowledge hurts and prejudice takes us off the sidelines where it is safe and neutral and places us in a position to be criticized, demeaned and even hated. This can be a daunting task. But we can do hard things. Going through the year long process, praying together, asking difficult questions, listening to uncom-fortable answers, and ultimately claiming the side of God’s love

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and acceptance was hard. It was not without a cost, but the ben-efits will be amazing. By doing this hard, wonderful thing more will get to hear the Good News, more will know that they are loved and accepted as children of God, we will step into new awareness of the grace of God. And with this experience of walking out in faith on God’s promis-es, we can continue to boldly do hard things. Together we can face fear with love and courage. I cannot wait to see what hard thing the Holy Spirit brings us to do next! Thanks be to God for the grace we have been given to live LOVE! In Jesus, Pr Bethany

BLC WELCOME STATEMENT

“God is love. We are all God’s beloved children and are recipients

of God’s radical love and grace.

All are welcome in this church community. You are welcome here

if you have ever felt excluded or judged because of your gender,

ethnicity, race, religion, status, ability, sexual orientation, doubts or

questions.

We believe in Jesus’ commandments to love God and love neigh-

bor. Join us!”

Family Promise Guests

Family Promise guests will be at our church from Sunday,

February 4 through Sunday, February 11.

Volunteers are needed for many different areas. Please con-

tact Shirley Osborn, Terri Nelson or Pat Anderson if you can

help. Thank you!

PURPLE FABRICS NEEDED!

Attention all fabric artists! Linnie Scott is working on a special Lent art installation for Burlington Lutheran Church and is in need of purple fabrics of all kinds. Contact her for more de-tails at linnie.scott@gmail.com.

FIRST BREAKFAST

Join us in the Fellowship Hall on

Sunday, February 4,

8:45 to 9:45 am for our First Breakfast!

On the menu: Biscuits and gravy, fresh scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, pastries, muffins, juice and coffee!

ASH WEDNESDAY & LENT SERVICES

EVENING SERVICE

We will embark on the season of Lent—the time of preparation,

fasting, repentance and spiritual discipline leading up to Holy

Week—starting with our Ash Wednesday service. Please join us on

Wednesday, February 14, at 6:30

pm for this special worship time

and imposition of ashes.

MID-DAY SERVICE

If you are unable to make the

evening service, the sanctuary will be open from noon until 1 pm on

Wednesday, February 14. Drop in at your convenience during lunch

for a brief period of reflection and the imposition of ashes.

LENT SERVICES

Our Lent services are Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm on February 21,

28, March 7, 14, 21. These will be a time of contemplation and pray-

er.

GOOD FRIDAY

Our Good Friday Service is Friday, March 30 at 7 pm.

JOSEPHINE CARING COMMUNITY

“Volunteering with Heart”

Dear Ones:

Allow me to introduce you to John, a volunteer at Josephine Caring Community. I recently had a chance to sit down with John and reflect with him on the last year and a half he’d been here as a volunteer. On paper, John is here to help our Activity staff wheel residents from their rooms to the Chapel for wor-ship—but what really impresses me about John is not on paper. John heard about Josephine from his church, Camano Chapel, but what really draws him to Josephine runs much deeper. John lovingly recalls enjoying times being with his grandfather, who lived with him, and having a chance to “learn so much from him...and hearing things first-hand.” John brings that same spirit to our Josephine residents who he affectionately calls his “friends.” “Our older friends know so much and experienced so much and I just enjoy talking with them…,” says John. One woman, who tries to speak Norwegian to him, even inspires John now to learn one Norwegian word a week so that he could speak with her. However, it is the way that John values and respects our older friends, many who themselves may not give much hope to life at this point, that I will not soon forget: “I like to look for a little spark, somewhere I can connect with them…look for something that can make them laugh, or they’ll say something that will make me laugh …” John reflected that his interactions cheer him up probably more than it cheers them up. The connection that John is making with his new-found friends calls forth life out of folks that may have been under the impression that they have nothing left to contribute in their old age and in their times of suffering—the resurrection from the cross tells quite a different story. Thank you, John, for helping Christ tell and embody that counter-cultural story from the depths of the cross—right here at Jose-phine!

Warmly, Chaplain Andy

P.S. Inspired to volunteer yourself? Contact Kathy, our Activi-ties Director, and enroll to be a volunteer in Josephine’s minis-try—we’d love to have you!

BLC QUILTERS

The quilting group will meet on Thursday, Feb-ruary 8, at 9 am in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in helping in any way, please come. No sewing experience is necessary!

ORGANIST TRAINING FUND

If you’d like to see young people learning how to play

the organ, please consider donating to the Organ

Training Fund. Money from this fund allows for con-

tinuing lessons, taught by our own Lynne Berg. Make

checks payable to Burlington Lutheran Church, and

put Organ Training Fund in the comments section.

SOUNDBOARD/POWERPOINT TECH VOLUNTEERS

Are you interested in running the soundboard and powerpoint slideshow during worship from time to time? We are working to build a small team of folks who can help out in the way when needed. Training provided! Let Sean know if you’re interested: seanbendickson@gmail.com. Thanks!

If you’re a new volunteer, an old hand wanting to brush up on your skills, or someone wanting to see what ushering is all about, please come to an Usher Training on Sunday, February 18, 9 am in the Narthex. Cindy Cohen will be heading up the training.

Dear Burlington Lutheran Church Women, We were delighted to receive your generous gift for the YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter and Daylight Center in the

amount of $100! Thank you so much! Your gift will allow more homeless youth in Skagit County to have a safe place to stay, hot meals and the support they need to im-prove their lives at the Teen Shelter. It will also allow the Daylight Center to continue providing a safe place for youth to gather dur-ing the day for meals, arts and crafts, educational workshops, and academic support. We appreciate your support in making this program possible. Thank you for partnering with us to transform the families and communities we serve! Sincerely, Justin Krupa YMCA Oasis Director

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Burlington Lutheran Women, Thank you for your donation to Family Promise of Skagit Valley. Three of our families have already found places to live this year, and you have helped make that possible. Thanks again. Sincerely, Peggy Bridgman FPofSV Board

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A big thank you to Gordy Dahl for his woodworking skills in mak-ing us a secure Advent Wreath holder for future use! We appreci-ate all the time and effort you put into this project.

YOU ARE NEEDED!

The 2018 volunteer sheets are ready for

your name! Take a moment to look

through the Sign-Up book on the table in

the Narthex to see all the ways that you

can help the church run smoothly. We have something for

every age and ability.

Children’s Church volunteers are now being scheduled

through the office. If you’d like to help, let the office or Pas-

tor Bethany know!

Our 2018 Council and Delegates

Executive Committee: Curt Tveit, President Janice Burwash, Vice-president Linda Rudy, Treasurer Millie Fosberg, Secretary

Members at Large: Ryan Dahl, Jim McCann, Linnie Scott, John Small, Giordi Yunge

Delegates to Josephine: Alan Heyntsen, Terri Heyntsen, Diana Tveit

Delegates to Lutherwood: Steve Ranten, Curt Tveit

Thank you all for serving!

BURLINGTON LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN (BLCW)

The women of the church will meet for Bible study on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 a.m. All women are

invited to join them in the Conference Room!

For more info, contact Avis Robinson or Fran Hansen.

MEET THE NEWEST

MEMBERS OF BLC!

Jeremy Dierst and his children, Ryenne, Alexandria and Colton.

Heather Evans. “I grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Washing-ton when I was 11. I now live in Burlington with my husband, Ad-am, and 3 cats. I love to read, play video games, cross stitch, and bake. I came to Burlington Lutheran because I was lost and in need of a place to reconnect to God.”

Katie Hall. “I work at the Burlington Public Library. Got married at Disney World in 2014. Self proclaimed “Disney Dork.” I am so thankful to have found Burlington Lutheran! Thank you for wel-coming me!”

Byrce and Lisa Larson and their children, Gwennen (Gwen) and Cameron.

Robert and Kathy Reim. “Our family had been a part of Skagit County for over seventy years. We feel blessed to be welcomed as a family and excited to join this group whose love lives and where Jesus is celebrated.”

Wayne and Debbie Reim.

Rachel and Tammy Reim-Ledbetter. “Tammy and Rachel moved from Bonney Lake, Washington, to Sedro-Woolley in August 2012. They both work for a credit union in the area. They pur-chased Rachel’s parents home and they all live happily together on five acres with 1 Yorkie, 2 Dachshunds and 2 cats. It’s a zoo! They have been searching for a church to call home for 13 years as a couple and they feel blessed and at peace with you all!”

Linnie Scott and her children, Abigail and Ivy.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you!

Scholarship Committee

If you are interested in helping to further the education

of our children through scholarships from BLC, consider

volunteering for our Scholarship Committee! Contact

Linnie Scott at linnie.scott@gmail.com or call the

church office.

+ Christian Symbols + HAND OF GOD This symbolizes God the Father, as well as his ownership and care of all creation. During the Christian church’s first 800 years, the hand was about the only symbol used for God. Many Bible verses speak of God’s loving, protective hand (Psalm 138:7; Ecclesiastes 2:24; 1 Peter 5:6). In heaven, Jesus sits at God’s right hand (Mark 16:19).

Heroic St. Valentine

We probably think of romance when

Valentine’s Day comes. That’s fine, but there’s

more to the story than that.

St. Valentine was a Christian priest and

martyr who lived about A.D. 270. The Roman

emperor at the time was Claudius II. Claudius

had been a successful general. He would not

allow his soldiers to marry, because he wanted to make sure they

could go to battle quickly. He thought family ties would make the

men reluctant to leave home. Because Valentine promoted mar-

riage and family life, he was jailed and later convicted of going

against the orders of the emperor. He was martyred on February

14, the day we remember him and our loved ones.

While he was in jail, the jailer’s daughter befriended him.

He wrote her a letter of appreciation and signed it “Your Valen-

tine.” The tradition of exchanging valentines grew out of that

heartfelt gesture.

RESPITE PASTOR Rev. Kirby Unti, Synod Bishop, Northwest Washington Synod Article from The Spirit, February 2018 The conversation took place at precisely the right time. Retired Pastor Mark Reitan offered to serve as a respite pastor, enabling a pastor and congregation the necessary breathing room they needed. Mark’s heart aches for pastors on whom the job takes a toll. Mark knew it would mean a lot to him if he could help another sister or brother. There were a few conditions. He didn’t want it to be long term – no more than two or three months. He knew there would be certain Sundays he wouldn’t be available. He was only willing to preach and do critical pastoral care. (No committee meetings!) AND he wanted to do it pro bono, believing that God has been a wonderful provider for him and his family. The one exception is he would expect a mileage reimbursement. Mark is like many of our retired pastors. He still loves to do pastoral ministry. He finds meaning in trying to help a faith com-munity realize their strengths. He loves to preach the gospel and is so clear about our God who provides. He is a living example of what he believes. No sooner had we had the conversation, when just the right setting turned up. We had a congregation that was small in size and struggling financially. A separation agreement between the pastor and the congregation had been reached providing the com-pensation the pastor would need to reach retirement. However, the congregation did not have the capacity to resource the separa-tion agreement and provide for a part-time pastor. This is where Mark stepped in and so graciously cared for the congregation for three months. The congregation understood that there would be Sundays when Mark couldn’t be there, and they managed to do well with supply pastors. This was an amazing win-win-win situation for pastor, church, and synod. All because of a pastor’s desire to still do meaningful ministry - and meaningful it was. Mark was able to love up this congregation, affirm their strengths, and restore in them a greater confidence that God provides for those who place

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their trust in God. This changed the conversation from “should we just close our doors” to “let’s reimagine our future.” Mark was able to share with them the work that he and his spouse, Elaine, are doing in Tanzania to honor their daughter’s life and death. This proved to be an inspiration to the congrega-tion and expanded their sense of the church’s global ministry. When the time came for Mark to conclude his ministry, the con-gregation offered up a gift for this ministry as a sign of their deep appreciation for Mark’s time among them. I respect and admire Pastor Reitan for his love of the gospel and his desire to continue to live it out in ways that bring bless-ing to his own life and to those he serves. These are not the easiest of times in which to do ministry and the truth is there are so many pastors and congregations that could benefit from a time of respite care. I don’t doubt a few of you reading this article are saying, “I am that pastor,” or “we might be that congregation.” While I know that all retired pastors are not in the position to serve in this capacity, my prayer is that there might be a few who would consider offering up their gifts. I know pastors well into their 80’s who are vital, passionate about the Gospel, and who could do some wonderful ministry. Thank you Pastor Mark Reit-an for modeling what it means to be a faithful servant of God and inspiring others to consider how God might have a short jog in store for them.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LENT

Lent is the fourth season of the Christian year. Its length is the 40 days preceding Easter Day, not counting Sundays. This means Lent always begins on a Wednesday, known as Ash Wednesday. Lent commemorates Jesus’ fast and temptation in the wil-derness of Judea Province, which, according to the Gospel, lasted 40 days. Just as Jesus confronted his temptations during these 40 days, Lent helps Christians focus on our most basic need as sinners: forgiveness. The only way our Lord’s forgiving power can become ef-fective in our lives is by our taking the initiative to confront our sins, confess them and repent of them. In short, Lent is a season of penitence. Some Christians fast during Lent. This denial of bodily com-forts can help encourage self-reflection about the need for Jesus’ forgiveness.

FEBRUARY SCHEDULE

February 3: Sharon Atchley Memorial Service, 2 pm February 4: 1st Breakfast, 8:45-9:45 am, Fellowship Hall Feb. 4-11: Family Promise guests at BLC February 7: Budget & Finance meeting, 5 pm, Library February 8: Quilters, 9 am, Fellowship Hall February 14: Drop-in Ash Wed. service, anytime between 12-1 pm February 14: Ash Wednesday Service, 6:30 pm February 18: Usher training, 9 am, Narthex February 20: BLC Women, 10:30 am, Conference Room February 21: Deadline for February Bridge February 21: Lent Service, 6:30 pm February 28: Council, 6 pm, Conference Room February 28: Lent Service, 6:30 pm Every Sunday: Praise Team practice, 9 am Worship Service, 10 am El Camino worship service,12 pm

Every Wednesday: Praise Team practice, 6:30-8 pm, Sanctuary (beginning at 7:30 pm during Lent)

Burlington Lutheran Church 134 E. Victoria Avenue, Burlington, WA 98233

360-755-0729 + burlingtonlutheran@gmail.com www.burlingtonlutheran.org

Office hours: 9 am-3:30 pm, Tues-Wed-Thurs

Pastor Bethany Hull Somers 360-202-7333 + burlingtonlutheranpastor@gmail.com

Check in and “Like” us on Facebook. Follow the church on twitter: @blc_pastor

BLC Staff Rev. Bethany Hull Somers, Pastor

Sean Bendickson, Worship & Music Leader Sheri Logan, Office Administrator

Lynne Berg, Organist Matthew Ranten, Sound Technician

Selena Guadamuz, Nursery Attendant Randy Dalaba, Custodian