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January 2015 1

January 2015

ContentsPlan To Be At The Congregational RetreatPg 1

EpiphanyPg 2

FCC Tacoma Receives Two Top Evangelism AwardsPg 3

Exploring Our Disciple IdentityPg 4

Opportunities To ServePg 5

Seasons Greetings From FriendsPg 8

Calendar Insert

The Pathfinder

PLAN TO BE AT THE ALL CONGREGATIONAL RETREAT ON FEB 28, 2014 9:00 AM-2:00 PM(Lunch provided)

We have been in a time of discernment of the will of God for First Christian Church for quite some time. With a committed staff in place and a technological upgrade almost ready to bring online, it is now time to ask God what steps we need to take in the next five years in order to better fulfill Christ’s mission for us. The board has hired Dr. Dick Hamm as a consultant who has begun

leading a leadership team through an information-gathering process that will paint for us an educated perspective regarding where we are now. That perspective, called a Congregational Assessment, will be presented at this retreat along with other important information about cultural change as it has affected churches like ours all across the country. With that information at hand, we will then all be asked to prayerfully consider what God needs from us next. It will be a day of prayer and laughter and exciting new possibilities. See you there!!

2 January 2015

Do you know about the liturgical season of Epiphany? It begins on January 6 (or the Sunday closest to it.) On that day we read the story of the Magi, the Wise Ones who came bearing gifts to the baby Jesus and his family. Will it feel strange to sing “The First Noel” and “We Three Kings”? It may well, since we’ve been encountering Christmas decorations and marketing since at least September. But in both the Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, December 25 is understood to be only the beginning of the Christmas season which indeed lasts until January 6, Epiphany. In fact, historically, the celebration of Epiphany commemorating the visit of the Wise Men is actually much older than the celebration of Christmas. And indeed, in Mexico and many Latin American cultures, Santa does not bring gifts on December 25. The Wise Men bring gifts to people on January 6. But for many Americans, Epiphany has become almost an unknown part of the story of the birth and life of Christ – probably, as I say, because by this time in January we’re ready for Christmas to be gone and we’ve concentrated the story of the Wise Men more with Christmas itself than with the commemoration of their visit twelve days later.

But beginning on January 4, we’ll be celebrating the season of Epiphany. That Sunday we will indeed remember the story of the Wise Men. And then, on January 6 from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm, I want to invite you to celebrate Epiphany by coming to my

home, allowing me to give back just a tiny bit of all you do for the sake of Christ. And in the weeks to follow, we’ll study key early moments in Jesus’ life and what they have to show us. Here’s the plan:

Jan 4 - Epiphany SundayMatt 2:1-12 & Eph. 3:1-12

Epiphany’s Front Page News

Jan 11- Baptism of JesusMark 1:4-11

Baptism’s Front Page News(Thanking 2014 Board and Installing 2015 Board)

Jan 18 - MLK Sun (Chuck Blaisdell preaching)

Isaiah 41:1, 8-10Help Me Stand

Jan 25 - Call of the DisciplesMark 1:14-20

Feb 1 - 4th Sunday after EpiphanyMark 1:21-28

Authority

Feb 8 - 5th Sunday after EpiphanyMark 1:29-39

The Who and What and Where of Jesus’ Ministry

Feb. 15 - 6th Sunday after EpiphanyNumbers 11:16-17, 24-30

Gratitude for Community: Priesthood of All Believers

(Honoring All Our Volunteers)

EPIPHANYBy: Barbara Blaisdell

January 2015 3

Thank you! Toda, thanks, takk, gracias, grazie, merci, mahalo, obrigado! Because of all the ways God has blessed us and made generosity possible, and due to the way so many responded to the invitation to be generous with needy families, to the regional church, to the food bank, and to our dedicated, hard-working part-time staff, we were able to do far more than I ever imagined! I am also personally grateful for the gift certificate given to me by the board that will allow Chuck and me a belated anniversary dinner. We could not celebrate our 29th anniversary in person but, because he will be on educational leave/sabbatical in January and February, we will be able to begin our 30 years together with a wonderful dinner out. During Advent and Christmas our small body of Christ gave:

• An estimated $2000 in gifts for families who could not otherwise have much this Christmas

• $365 for the Food Bank from the Christmas Eve offering

• $588 for the work of the Region of the Pacific Northwest, including the all important support of our camping program for children and youth (Christmas Offering)

• Over $900 for our committed part time staff and their families

OPEN HOUSE AT PASTOR BARBARA’SEpiphany, January 6 from

4:00pm-7:00pm

Pastor Barbara loves to cook and bake and entertain. Please come enjoy!

FCC, TACOMA RECEIVES TWO TOP EVANGELISM AWARDS

The Rev. Dr. R. Wayne Calhoun, Sr., Executive for Evangelism and Congregational Transformation, from the Division of Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) announced on December 5, 2014 that First Christian Church of Tacoma, WA is the recipient of two national evangelism awards. The awards are given to the congregations in our fellowship who are in the top ten percent

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!By: Barbara Blaisdell

4 January 2015

FCC, TACOMA RECEIVES TWO TOP EVANGELISM AWARDSContinued from page 3

for receiving the most new members by transfer and for the most baptisms in the prior year. Congratulations!

MUSIC MINISTRY GRATITUDEBy: Monica Steele

We are looking to the New Year with gratitude for our new home at First Christian Church. Thank you to all who remembered us with cards, gifts, encouragement, appreciation and prayers! Thanks again to those who generously donated to the organ fund. It is a joy to play it and explore its different capabilities.

We are especially appreciative of the love of praising God through music that is manifested through the choirs and the congregation. God’s Spirit is working through all of us binding us together in love and grace.

Please feel free to join the choir any time and/or offer your instrumental skills. We will find a way to involve you in the eclectic talents of our community.

Praying for a year of joy, peace, love and hope for everyone.

Warmest regards, Monica and Jeffry

EXPLORING OUR DISCIPLE IDENTITYBy: Marvin Eckfeldt

Are Disciples one of the “best kept secrets” in today’s church world?

What words would you use to explain First Christian to a new

neighbor?

What does the good news of Jesus look like in our day and time?

How does a Disciple congregation shape its life and witness?

In six sessions between now and Lent we have the opportunity on Sunday morning and during one weekday session to take a new look at our spiritual heritage and explore what it means for us to be contemporary disciples. We’ll use a variety of resources, videos, Sharon Watkins

January 2015 5

new book (WHOLE: a call to unity in our fragmented world), historical material, and stimulating discussion. Sessions will be interactive and engaging. Some of the themes will be: identity, table, welcome, wholeness, movement, and convictions. Session outlines created and facilitated by Marvin Eckfeldt, guest leader. Watch for starting date and further details.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!By: Norma Carolyn

Y O U m a d e a difference in the lives of hungry families with your gift to the

NW Tacoma Food Bank on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve offering of $365.00 will provide many meals for these families. With every dollar you donated, the Food Bank can provide a meal for a family of four.

When the Food Barrel in the Narthex was emptied in December, 135 pounds of food items were delivered to the NW Tacoma Food Bank. Most-needed items are peanut butter, tuna, 15-oz. cans of chili, low-fat refried beans and other canned vegetables and canned fruit. No glass containers, please.

The next dates for FCC volunteers to donate time at the Food Bank are February 11 and February 14. Contact Ginny Quiring or Norma Carolyn to donate your time.

We will once again be gathering at Koinonia Christian Camp in Cle Elum on Feb. 20-22,

2015. This retreat is open to High School/Middle School Youth.

“Finding Purpose” is the theme. Our young people will discover and explore their identity in Christ. More information can be found on the web:

http://bit.ly/1vZPuq1

Please share this information with your congregation. We ask that all congregations send one adult sponsor for each 1-6 campers. More information about the requirements for adult sponsors can be found on the registration form.

Please contact the Regional Office with questions:

asaladino@disciplesnw.org,253-893-7202.

or Youth Ministry Coordinator,

Stephen Gumber:slumber@disciplesnw.org

2015 WINTER RETREAT

6 January 2015

Interfaith Conversation on Israel-Palestine

Sunday, January 25th, 5:00 - 7:30 pm (Donation for Dinner Accepted)

University of Puget Sound --- Wheelock Student Center - Upper Marshall Hall

RSVP Required Only 150 seats available

To Register/RSVP, please visit on the link below:

http://bit.ly/1vYHxRW

You can also download the flyer to help promote the Interfaith Conversation.

Rev. Michael Kinnamon will set the context for the evening, and there will be reading materials/articles suggested for participants prior to your arrival.

Feel free to be in touch if you would like to talk about this important community conversation.

AN UPCOMING COMMUNITY GATHERINGBy: Associated Ministries

Tent City Tacoma has been “in the works” for quite some time now. I first met with Vince Hart and a few of the activists of TCT more than a year ago to help them think about how to approach congregations, and which congregations might have the property to participate. Attached is the story of TNT’s development, as well as their future plans can be found right after this article.

Informational MeetingMonday, January 5th

4:00 - 5:30 pmFirst United Methodist Church,

Tacoma

If you are serving a congregation that has property that might work, and/or have members who are interested in being supportive, I hope to see you at the meeting.

TENT CITY TACOMABy: Associated Ministries

January 2015 7

Web:http://tentcitytacoma.net/ Page 1 Email: tentcitytacoma@gmail.com

The Story of Tent City Tacoma Tent City Tacoma was formed in January of 2013 by some folks who were involved in the camp set up in the park at S. 21st and Pacific by some activists from Occupy Tacoma. While the initial "campers" were activists addressing income inequality and other large social issues, it didn't take long before homeless folks began to show up and join the camp. With the help of activists and other supportive community members, that group grew to about 75 people with individual tents, kitchen facilities, portable toilets, wash stations, community gathering areas, media tents, etc. This self-organized and self-governed community lasted for four months and, when asked by the owners of the property, WSDOT, to vacate the land, all the structures were removed and the site was cleaned up in a peaceful, respectful manner. A few months later, some of the people who had lived at and helped administer the camp raised the following issue within an Occupy Tacoma meeting: could it not be possible to replicate that safe-and-secure place for homeless people somewhere else in the city, with community approval and support? The activists who had homes returned to them when the camp disbanded. The homeless residents who had for a brief period of time experienced a safe, secure and empowered community returned to their daily scramble to find places to sleep, food to eat, and ways to deal with their basic hygiene needs. Some returned to shelters but those are very temporary solutions which, though much improved over conditions not too many years back, still don't address many of the needs of homeless folks. Some of our members had lived in a few of the Tent Cities in Seattle and felt it was time for Tacoma to provide that option here at home. Thus Tent City Tacoma was launched and a team began meeting independently of the continuing Occupy Tacoma group to make this vision a reality. Over the past year or so, a small group of dedicated people have created an online presence, written documents to be used by the camp residents and host institutions, started outreach to some of the local religious organizations and worked with the City of Tacoma's Planning Department to hammer out new code language to cover Temporary Homeless Camps. The RCW (Washington State laws) gives religious organizations the right to host these temporary homeless camps with minimal restrictions from the City. We are now in a position to create our first legally-permitted and regulated but self-organized community for some of our homeless neighbors. All that work has brought us to the point of needing the help of those who have property, supplies, and funds which are required to help this vital “city within the city” become a reality. What would that help look like? The City Planning Department has identified a list of over 40 religiously owned or controlled properties within Tacoma city limits that meet the criteria they have set for host sites. There are others that didn't appear on that list but which we have confirmed are appropriate for a tent city. Hosting a Tent City Tacoma on a church-controlled site involves a 3-4 month stay at any one time. Churches which have a good experience hosting this “mobile community” often choose to have it return on a regular basis. Church leaders who want to know more about the experience of hosting will be put in touch with congregations which have an extended “track record” they are happy to share. Congregations that don't have the land available can still help by (1) raising money for initial set up and ongoing expenses, (2) organizing donations of food and other needed materials (tents, pallets, etc.), (3) volunteering time and effort to set up the camps, (4) doing outreach to the surrounding community, and (5) raising awareness of the dire situation we face regarding our growing homeless population.

8 January 2015

We last reported in November that the High Speed internet was being installed and that we could start building our “mini” data center that will control the phone system, provide wireless connectivity around the campus, and so much more. I am happy to report we have cleared a space in the old office where the “mini” data center will be held and that there is currently a high-speed connection hook-up to that room. The current office is running off of the new network and everyone is enjoying the capabilities to upload pictures and files faster than before.

In the upcoming weeks you will notice several changes around the campus that will add to our continued expansion. We will be doing some beta testing of the file servers and phones; including the requested replacement of the phone in the kitchen. As we work to tweak the system, wireless signals may be disconnected temporarily when installing certain equipment. Our goal is to complete this project soon so that we may enjoy what technology can do for us. Thank you to everyone who has helped and collaborated on this project!

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE UPDATEBy: Cassie Tripp

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM FRIENDS

January 2015 9

Dear Friends,

I am thinking of you, wishing you the peace and joy of this joyous, sacred season. The big change this year was my move from my house in Lakewood to my daughter’s home in Deming, WA. I now own a lot less stuff! Feels good!! Deming is between Bellingham and Mt. Baker. My daughter, Rebekah, her husband, Todd, and their 5 children moved into their new house a few months ago. There is good space for me so, June 6, I moved in with them. It is working very well. My room has adequate space and every thing I need. The country-side is very beautiful. The animals: horses, dogs, cats and chickens are kinda fun - as long as I am not responsible for their care I am glad to have time with my grandchildren, while they are growing up and I am making new friends. Of course, I miss my old friends, especially my church friend, but the buses go both ways so surely I will get to Lakewood once in a while. When I moved, Joanne Kobel Shaver, who had been living with me since Archie passed away 11 years ago, found a little house in a park-like setting. She was at last able to unpack her pretty dishes and othter pretty things she has had in boxes for this long time. She likes the location and her landlady. I hope she will be able to live there for a long time. The Kobel kids sold the house on 120th street soon after it went on the market. The man who owned the house next door bought it for his daughter. The buyer’s second daughter lives in that house next door. He bought the house “as is” which was welcome to the Kobels - no need to even paint. We had a grand Thanksgiving feast at our Deming house with 29 guests present and plenty of room for every one to sit at a table. My daughter, Tammy came from Fort Bragg, CA. for Thanksgiving. I came home with her. I will stay here at Tammy’s until January 1. Rebekahworkedthissummerasaflaggerinaroadconstructioncrew.Itwaslonghoursbutshewasglad to have the good-paying job. During the winter she hopes to substitute for teacher-helper with children who have learning disabilities. I am needed at home when she works long days, - which means my travel time will need to be in the winter. I am starting with Northern California, not exactly the tropics but is considerably warmer than Washington. I especially notice the differences in temperature when we go to Festival of Lights. The festival in Washington is beautiful but I don’t like the cold. Here is a picture of our family. I wanted to get a more formal one but it is hard to get everyone together - and dressed nicely - and willing to sit still, - maybe next year. Early summer, I and the 7 Bakers took a road trip to Ohio and back. Todd did a great job of driving. Rebekah is a whiz at serving gourmet dinners from a travel trailer. We saw Mt. Rushmoor, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and several relatives. As we drove up our drive way at the end of the long trip, I heard the kids say,” We saw some neat stuff but this is the prettiest place we have seen yet.” “ya sure is the best we’ve seen” I think it is a great trip that makes every traveler aware of the neat stuff we saw but glad to be home again.I am wishing you a joyous celebration. I love Christmas because it is the birthday of my friend, Jesus. Wishing you a joyous season. Sincerely,Marceille Kobel

New Address: 6336 Mt. Baker HWY, Deming, WA 98244, Home Phone 360-

599-2444 Cell: 253-398-9569 .

First C

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First Christian Church of Tacoma602 North Orchard StreetTacoma, Washington 98406253-752-7734