. . . A river flowing with the grace of God, a river full of life and vitality for thirsty souls and hungry hearts, a river of Jesus' love. The Psalmist writes, "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God." (Ps. 46:4a)
This is the river we seek in an increasingly multicultural and interreligious world. Some respond with fear, but as people of faith we know that differences can lead to discovery. Diversity is an invitation to dialogue. In the spirit of Jesus, who was always venturing forth to meet others, A River Deep and Wide will be an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to relate to one another, overcoming divisions and discovering our oneness in community.(from the information about A River Deep and Wide: Christian Spiritual Practices for the 21st Century which I chose for my annual continuing education experience this year.)
Since our Pacific Northwest Annual conference is wise enough to insist that its pastors engage in continuing education annually and since you good people of APUMC are kind enough to budget for it in the Pastor's Professional Reimbursement Account, I think it is good to share with you what I was doing last week at the Scarritt-Bennett Center (owned and operated by The United Methodist Women) in Nashville, Tennessee.
A River Deep and Wide was offered by The Upper Room Ministries of the UMC. The theme of the five day experience was what could be called "Inter Spirituality" or perhaps "Depth Spirituality." ARDW started from an understanding that today's world requires a rethinking of the attitudes and practices of all the world's religions toward the others if we are ever going to live in peace and practice the love of neighbor that all religions espouse.
Keynote speakers and various workshop sessions gave the participants the opportunity to struggle together with the many issues that arise from dialogue with different religious faiths.
The morning keynote speaker was Dr. Barbara Ann Holmes, VP of Memphis Theological Seminary. She is an African-American Pentecostal theologian and ordained in the Disciples of Christ denomination. Her topic was African American Spiritual Traditions. The evening keynoter was Dr. M. Thomas Thangaraj who taught World Christianity at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta for twenty years before returning to his native India to teach there. He is the author of Relating to People of Other Religions: What Every Christian Needs To Know. Both of these presenters were excellent. I have purchased Dr. T's book and the DVD's of his presentations. I think they would provide good material for a class at APUMC.
There were many workshop sessions to choose from. I enjoyed all of mine. A Jewish Rabbi from Nashville taught us on: "Doing Bible Study the Way Jesus Would Have Done It." In this method, two "scholars" paired up across from one another, read a passage together and proceeded to vigorously challenge one another's interpretations. Great fun, but no place for the meek.
In other workshops I listened to a brilliant young Moslem Immam from Cape Town, South Africa, who is currently teaching Comparative Religion at Notre Dame U. explain Moslem Spirituality. Likewise, I listened to a Hindu professor tell us about the Hindu religion and some of its spiritual practices. A Klinkit Native American UMC lay man told us a story of his life and tradition each evening and I attended his workshop to learn the history of our nation's, and even our church's, sorry history of the genocide of native peoples. Two other workshops dealt with teaching spiritual practices in the congregation. They were taught by two personal friends and colleagues I had not seen in many years, so that was a special blessing. The final workshop I attended dealt with the cutting edge ways The Upper Room is preparing to use the internet to share its published materials with the world. It left me all "atwitter." (If you don't get the joke, too bad. I don't know enough about it to explain it to you.)
If it sounds like I was busy, I was! The only thing that toned down the pace was the leisurely mealtime conversations and the excellent worship services. We had morning prayer, Eucharist, and night prayer each day.
I thank you for the opportunity and I thank Tom Kraus for preaching to us on Sunday. Didn't he do well? He sounded much less "jet-laggy" than I would have sounded.
See you in Church, APUMC!
Pastor Carl
Grand-child congratulations also to Jim and Barbara Anderson on the birth of their grandson, Tobin Jeffrey Eberle Anderson. He was also born on April 23rd. Parents are Scott and Kendra Eberle; Kendra's parents are Rev. Tom and Mary Alice Eberle.
Thank you, Kate Raynaud, for taking over the duties of keeping the sanctuary clean and ready for worship on Sunday. And thank you, Lois Penick, for doing this "behind-the-scenes" work for so many years!
I would like to thank everyone for your cards, phone calls, prayers, love and support these past two months. A special thanks to Pastor Carl for his home visits and to Betty Moos for responding to my call for help. My deepest appreciation, also, to Naomi Circle.
I'm doing OK for now and plan on joining you soon in the usual activities.
-Maxine Reitmeier
Thank you, each and every one, who helped with getting the church grounds looking beautiful for Palm and Easter Sundays.
With so many present we were able to accomplish much in a shorter period of time. Afterwards, Marion Anderson served a delicious lunch and we enjoyed a time of fellowship.
-Vi Nagley
Many, many thanks for all the cards and telephone calls I received for my 92nd birthday. I detected a different tone in the cards. Usually, they are mostly humorous; this year they were sentimental, inspirational and personal. I can only suspect that because of my age you were being especially nice this year, figuring this would be your last chance to send me a birthday card. Surprise! I intend to hold down "sinner's row" in my usual spot until this time next year. Many,many thanks!
-Ruth Smith
The Christian Education team would like to thank the Memorial Committee for donating money for needed storage bins.
Our sympathy is with Rosemary Levine and her family on the death of her son, Frank Simmons. Frank's memorial service is to be held Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. at the church.
This Sunday, May 3, we will be honoring our Charter Members and those in our church family who are 90+ years young! We will have a reception after church Sunday.
We of the following people to be included in these groups. If you know of someone who is not included, please call the church office as soon as possible!
Charter Members: Betty Anderson, Marie Beam, Norm Coulter, Betty Fountaine, Doris Platt.
Those over 90 year of age include:
Georgie Barr, Marie Beam, Norm Coulter, Verla Dearborn, Mildred Glidden, Jake Gray, Edith Manildi, Maxine Reitmeier, Ralph Reynolds, Rob Roberts, Katie Roe, Warren Sallis, Ruth Smith, Nan Stratford, Mari Sullivan, Harry Vaughan, and Bill Wiese.
From Ann Fritz, Inland District Mission Secretary - This month, our featured missionary is someone that many of you already know, Rev. Paul Jeffrey. Besides the information below, I want to share with you that Rev. Jeffrey will be leading the all-school study on Sudan at the upcoming Cooperative School of Christian Mission, July 24-27 in Ellensburg. Rev. Jeffrey has co-authored a book about the struggles in Darfur entitled Where Mercy Fails. This book may be purchased through Cokesbury, Barnes and Noble, Overstock.com and Amazon.com. His insight into the continuing crisis in Darfur gives the reader a first-hand true picture of what is happening there.
The Rev. Paul Jeffrey is a General Board of Global Ministries missionary who writes about the work of the church around the world as senior correspondent for Response, the magazine of United Methodist Women. Paul also provides coverage of emergencies for Action by Churches Together (ACT), a Geneva-based global alliance of church disaster agencies. After living in Central America for 20 years, Paul and his family moved to Eugene, Oregon, in 2004. Yet his writing continues to focus on similar themes, including how Christians and Christian communities struggle for justice and peace in the midst of repression, violence, and rapid economic and social change.
A native of Vancouver, Washington, Paul is an ordained elder in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. He served two rural churches in western Washington State before moving to Central America in 1984. He has a Bachelor of Arts in literature and political science from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion, part of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. In 2001, Paul and Lyda were named distinguished alums of Pacific School of Religion. Paul Jeffrey is available for Covenant Relationship support in California/Pacific Annual Conference , California-Nevada Annual Conference , Oregon/Idaho Annual Conference , Pacific Northwest Annual Conference.
She's back!!! Kathie Doyle-Lipe will again return to offer us an outstanding performance for our Spring Luncheon May 9th at 11:30 a.m.
She is also bringing Jean Hardie to enhance the merriment. A young men's singing group from St. George's School. will also be there to add to the enjoyment.
Tickets are a mere $7! Tickets must be purchased in advance during coffee hour.
Come, feast and enjoy!
We have an opening for the third Sunday of the month for someone to perform the usher duties during the worship service. The tasks are very simple and you have the opportunity to say "Hello" to lots of people. One person can do it but it works better when shared with another. We need someone by June. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Jan in the church office.
This group meets on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. at Karen Peacock's home, 5604 N. Elm Street. The scripture reading for next week is Psalm 91: 1-16. All are invited!
Note: The Thursday afternoon Bible Study has finished until the week after Labor Day.
On Saturday, May 9th at 6:00 p.m. the MIDIS will be meeting for a potluck dinner, fellowship and a program on Dahlias presented by Dennis and Claudia Biggs. They are responsible for the Dahlia memorial garden at the VA Hospital and are very active members and serve as officers in the Spokane Dahlia Society. Claudia has been featured in the Spokesman-Review and is known as the "Dahlia Lady". She has judged many Dahlia shows and has won awards for her Dahlia photography.
They will have a Powerpoint presentation, share some of their knowledge and experiences in raising Dahlias, answer questions and have beautiful note cards available for purchase.
Everyone is welcomed to come and enjoy a very special evening. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck dinner.
We've had contact with the paving company for the parking lot...the work is scheduled to begin June 1st. Thank you to those who have given "extra mile" giving for this project! We are still in need of more gifts for this project so we don't have to borrow the money. Make sure you designate "Parking Lot" on your check made out to APUMC.
Ten Brave Christians
Who for ONE MONTH (30 DAYS)
Will
Meet once each week to pray together
Give two hours time each week to our church. (Self-surrender)
Give God one Tenth of earnings during this month. (Self-denial)
Spend 5:30 to 6:00 each morning in prayer and meditation. (Self-control)
Witness for God their experiences to others.
The purpose of these is to help you put God first in your life. Informational meeting: May 4th. Time: Between services at 10:00 in the church Chapel (next to the parlor). Presented by: Dorinda Young and Barbara White.
Unless you want to
Put God First,
You never will!
Unless you want to
Live the Disciplined Spiritual Life,
You never will!
Unless you want to
Experiment with the Christian Faith,
You never will!
Unless you want to
Understand the joy of Giving,
You never will!
Unless you want to
Release the Powerful Power of Powerful Laity,
You never will!
Unless you want to
Experience the Strength of Small Groups of People Walking a stretch with Each other,
You never will!
Unless you want to
Discover the Power of Corporate Spiritual Discipline,
You never will!
Wanted: Ten Brave Christians (more or less)
These are Possible for me! These are possible for you! These are possible for our church!
Undertake this thirty-day experiment and see for yourself.
Unless you want to, you never will!
The Wesley Experience!
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
and pretty maids in a row."
Please plant an extra row in your garden this year for the Food Bank!
"It may be a year for sharing home and car repairs, for church gardens, for canning parties, and church suppers open to the neighborhood. More than ever it is a time for generous outreach to people in need."
-The Rev Pat Simpson, on the blessing of having elders in congregations who know how to endure and can work across generations to give back to the community in our current economic climate.
(From the U.M. Conference newsletter)
9:00 a.m.
INVITATION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
8 week study led by Steve Cree and Dave Payne
Room 201
Have you ever wanted an overview of the Old Testament?
This is a short term, in-depth small group Disciple Bible Study.
This is an introductory class-
No previous knowledge is
expected.
We invite you to join us!
We will be enjoying the NOOMA series: short flicks, long on truth. These short DVD's explore our world from the perspective of Jesus.
Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How To Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend will begin at the 9:00 AM Discipleship Hour May 10th. The class will be led by Dr. Pamela Ridgeway. The class will use the book by the above title for background reading and video presentations by the authors. Please call the church office to order a book ($15.00) and to sign up for this class. Pastor Carl wants EVERY MEMBER OF APUMC to attend a Boundaries Class.
This is an 8 week class.
July 13-17
5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Audubon Park UMC "Bread of Life Café" is serving a simple
supper.
6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Vacation Bible School and Adult Study
Christian Education has a small boy's bike to give to a boy in need. Please see Bobbi Ehrgood for more information.
-Donated puppets for a new Sunday School Rotation program starting in June- any kind of puppet will work.
-Donated used computers for MOUSE HOUSE-part of our new Christian Education program this fall.
-Old shirts to use as art smocks
A gentle reminder that the Lamplighters for the next weeks are:
May 3 Roger Bertsch
May 10 Jennifer Ash and Judy Ritz
The following people are scheduled to have this sweeping duty in the coming weeks:
May 3 Estel Harvey
May 10 Rich Hendershot
Below are the ushers for worship in the upcoming weeks:
May 3 Rich and Carol Hendershot
May 10 George Hartman
May 3 Les and Margie Harder
Howard Davis has moved and his new info is:
1110 E. Westview Court #304
Spokane,WA 99208
Phone: 327-6924