Fairwood Community
United Methodist Church
October 2016
THE EPISTLE
Special Offering for
Sunday
Worship
Schedule
Celebration Worship
Service at 9:00 a.m.
Classic Worship
Service at 10:30 a.m.
“World Communion Sunday”
On “World Communion Sunday”,
October 2nd, we celebrate our
connection with Christians around the
world. ‘Communion’ is a word that means
we all are one group and share together.
Around the globe, countless gifted and
qualified people face financial obstacles that hinder them from preparing
for the vocation God has given them, especially youth and young adults.
For ethnic students who will be the first generation in their families to
attend college, or for those people of color who haven’t historically had
access to resources that make higher education possible, the road
toward education has often been unwieldy. The special offering that we
collect on World Communion Sunday will provide scholarships for these
US and international students.
Fall Festival
& Trunk or Treat
Yarn Happening
2nd & 4th Sunday
11:45 a.m. Join in the fun
of knitting or crocheting
All skill levels are
welcome!
World Communion
Sunday
Saturday, October 29th 6:30-8pm
NON-SCARY COSTUMES ARE WELCOME!
Lots of Free Carnival Games
Bible Sunday
October 16
Bring your Bible to
church for a special
blessing.
Bibles will be
presented to our
3rd graders
Bring a canned food item
Everyone is welcome. Bring friends, families,
grandkids, neighbors!!!
Preschooler through 6th grade youth and families are invited to the
annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 29th from 6:30-7:30 pm. Kids
can play FREE Halloween carnival games for fun and prizes. Everyone
is encouraged to wear non-scary costumes. Families and community
can get involved by passing out candy to kids during "Trunk or Treat"
immediately following the festival at 7:30 PM. ALL trunks welcome,
decorated or not. Bring your kids, grandkids, neighbor kids, all the kids
you know for this fun and safe event. Come with a donation of nonperishable food items to donate to the local food bank.
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Get to Know Fairwood Staff Member
Chasing the Wild Goose
Pastor Joyce O’Connor-Magee
I just loved WE ARE THE
CHURCH Sunday. As I said,
when a pastor moves into a new congregation the
Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) usually
hosts get-togethers in peoples’ homes. It is to
welcome the pastor but it also becomes a place
folks can meet and greet one another. Since we are
beginning our 7th year together, I felt a chance to
gather and talk was overdue. The SPRC handed
this idea off to the Church Council. It was the
Council who came up with this great idea of having a
chance to talk together as members of the
congregation during a church service! For the folks
who were here yesterday it was a great time to
share and talk. In fact it was a bit hard to get folks
out of the sanctuary as they continued the
conversations. My deep thanks goes out to all who
organized and planned the service as well as to
those who participated.
This is an amazing congregation! The more
we are involved the more we can see this is true.
Buried deep in the DNA of this church is service.
Sometimes we find ourselves out in the “field” doing
so many mission tasks that things don’t seem to get
done at home. We have a group of very dedicated
leaders and volunteers. Often we rely on them so
much because they know what they are doing and
do such a great job. That is true! But we know the
life of the church requires all of us to pick up tasks to
make the life of our congregation vital. Our job as
long time leaders is to welcome others, opening up
our church to new leaders and new ideas. Within
this spirit the long time leaders of this church will be
working hard to mentor others. We, including me,
will work to welcome others to do it their way not
always our way.
Those planning the We Are The Church
Sunday were remembering how much has changed
over the life of the church. I have seen the pictures
of Sunday School classes being taught in the
shower rooms of the Country Club when the
congregation was new. We are not how we were,
but we are not how we will be, either! Each new
member to our family has something to share and
gifts to offer their new church. As we talked about
what our church means to us we were reminded that
the strength of the church is not only knowing what
we were but what we can be - listening to one
another and more, listening to God’s call in the midst
of our church family.
The song says “We are the Church together!”
Let us build that church where all know they are
welcomed and all can offer their lives to this family of
faith, our Fairwood Community United Methodist
Church. What a great place to be!!
Introducing Joletta Holman
By Jim Truitt
I always enjoy visiting the
church office during the week
because I know I’m going to be
greeted with a warm smile,
sparkling eyes and made to
feel like I’m the most important
person in the building. Joletta
Holman, our Office Manager,
has that gift and it seems to
come naturally to her. Joletta
came to us 20 years ago this October from
Fairwood Elementary School where she worked
as a para-educator and office assistant. She
keeps the church office running like a well-oiled
machine.
Joletta was born in Montana, and spent
some time in Indiana, where her father attended
grad school, but most of her life has been spent
in the Kent area. She is the oldest of four
siblings. A brother and sister live in the greater
Seattle area and another brother lives in
Michigan. She graduated from Kent Meridian
High School before going on to college.
An avid reader of thrillers and mysteries, she
also enjoys sewing, painting and sketching
people. Joletta was offered an art scholarship
out of high school but decided to follow her heart
instead, attending a bible college. She’s also a
lover of animals. So much so that at one point in
her life at home with her parents she developed
the reputation as a cat lover and, by default, a
cat rescuer. Twenty-three cats found love and
affection at her hand.
Joletta enjoys people coming into the church
office where she has a chance to meet and get
to know the congregation, as well as others who
need the services of the church. Her duties as
the facility scheduler offer her an opportunity to
schedule rooms for neighborhood activities. She
knows many of the people making these
requests from her time spent at Fairwood
Elementary. We can all help make Joletta’s job
easier by keeping her informed of on-going
activities, especially if it affects the calendar or
facilities.
2
Stop by the church office and say “Hi”
sometime. I’ll bet you get the same friendly smile
that I do.
UMW October 13
10:00 Meeting
Parlor in Benedict Hall
Acolytes Needed!
Third graders and older
students are invited to
become acolytes.
You don't want to miss this very interesting
meeting. Our own Lisa Burns will show and
tell us about her recent
adventures in Africa.
Lisa and her sister
Margo spent time with
the schools that Margo
has been instrumental
in setting up. While
they were there Lisa
was able to help
dedicate a new
cafeteria in honor of
her husband, Randy.
Acolyte (akolouthos)
means follower or
attendant. The boy Samuel (1 Samuel) served
in God’s house. The acolyte assists the pastor
in the worship service, and helps prepare the
congregation to worship.
Do you know why we have candles during the
worship service? Have you thought about
helping in your church by acolyting?
All of you who are interested in acolyting, all who
are returning, and any who might be thinking
about acolyting, please come and learn what it
means to be an acolyte - and practice - on
Sunday, October 2nd at 4:00.
As usual, we will have
our time for fellowship and devotions to God.
Contact Cynthia VanDevender,
[email protected] or 425-228-4145.
Afterward, those who are interested will move
on to have lunch locally, just so we can spend
more time to get to know each other better.
We are the Church
Sunday was a
delightfully different
service! On Sunday
September 25th folks
found the sanctuary
had been transformed
into circles of chairs
just right for small
group discussions.
We were asked to
consider three questions:
Joy Singers
Children’s Choir
Joy Singers Choir has begun this
fall season and we plan to have
them sing in church on Sunday,
October 16th at both services.
We will rehearse the first two
Sundays (2nd and 9th), take a
week off on the 23rd (due to Bill’s surgery), and
start working on Christmas music on the 30th. All
grade school age children are welcome to join
us during Joy School at the 10:30 service.
Contact Bill and Lori McEwen for more
information.([email protected]).
We are
the
Church
What brings you to Fairwood UMC?
How does our church family make a
difference?
The Epistle is published monthly by Fairwood Community
United Methodist Church, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd, Renton,
Washington 98058
How can each of us best serve our church
community/family?
Phone: 425-228-4577,
E-mail: [email protected],
Web site: www.fairwoodumc.org
Pastor: Joyce O’Connor-Magee
Newsletter: Joletta Holman
The conversation was lively, with folks
meeting new friends. There will be an
opportunity in the coming weeks to recommit
to service to this church community. Thanks
to all who worked to make this special Sunday
really special.
Deadline for copy: 20th day of each month for the following
month’s news.
3
TUMY Retreat @ Fort Flagler –
November 4th
The Tacoma United Methodist
Youth (TUMY) Fort Flagler
retreat will be held November 4th
through 6th. This retreat is for
Senior High only. Registration
forms are due by Sunday,
October 30th. Complete the
form, which is available in the
senior high room, and place it in the Youth Council
mailbox in the church office along with a check.
Write a Check Payable to “FCUMC”, memo line
"TUMY Fort Flagler" for the amount of $80.
Scholarships are available
Contact Cur Stock for more information: FCUMC
Youth Council <[email protected]>
Breakfast Club
Middle School Breakfast Club youth will
ask questions of faith as presented in the
Old Testament. Yes, the Old Testament
matters to a Christian!
Middle School Youth Leader: Donna Stock
Senior High Youth Leader: Curt Stock
Youth Group Sunday Nights
Join us Sunday Nights for youth group! We play
games, sing songs and join together in
fellowship. Our theme for October is continuing our
"Back To School" program, learning how to make
time for our faith in the busy world of youth amidst
distractions like social media, peer pressure, school,
and our own questions about faith. Get ready to
grow with us!
Youth Group runs from 6:30-8:15, October 9th,
16th, 23rd, and 30th.
Youth Dinner on October 9th.
Youth will meet on Sunday, October 9th at 5:30
(prior to Youth group evening activities) were a
delicious meal will be served.
Contact Pastor Joyce if you are willing to help with
the dinner preparations. [email protected]
TNT: Tuesday Nights Together
TNT starts Oct. 4th at 6:00PM to
7:00PM in the Senior High Room. TNT
is a drop-in, friendly, bible study for
youth in grades 6 through 12. This
month we will be learning all about ourselves; where
is our faith, what does it mean to be a Christian
youth, what questions do we have, and how can we
grow this year? Come spend an hour learning,
laughing and growing with other youth from
Fairwood Community UMC!
Fall TNT Dates: Oct. 4th, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15,
Nov. 29
TNT Youth Leader: Christian Kerstetter-Fischer 4
Summer 2017 Youth Missions
Summer 2017 Youth Missions are now
underway! We will be offering 2 trips
this summer: an Entry Level trip open to
youth in grades 6-12, location TBD; and
a Commitment Level Trip for youth in grades 9-12 to
the Blue Ridge Mountains, NC in Appalachia (July
16-21). If your youth is interested in attending either
trip, please contact Christina at
[email protected] for more
information, or visit the website at http://
sites.google.com/site/fcumcyouthmissions
The Youth Vocal Band will rehearse the first Sunday
in October (2nd), then sing in church the next
Sunday (9th) at both services. Then we will rehearse
on the 16th and the 30th (no rehearsal on the 23rd
due to Bill's surgery).
All youth 6th grade and above are invited to join us.
Contact Bill and Lori McEwen for more information
([email protected]).
October Youth Calendar
10/2 Sunday
10:30 MS and SH Breakfast Club
5:30 Youth Vocal Band
6:30 No Youth Group
10/4 Tuesday
6:00 Tuesday Night Together (TNT)
10/9 Sunday
9:00 Youth Vocal Band leads in Worship
10:30 MS and SH Breakfast Club
11:45 Youth Council Meeting
5:30 Youth Dinner
6:30 Youth Group
10/11 Tuesday
6:00 No Tuesday Night Together (TNT)
10/16 Sunday
10:30 MS and SH Breakfast Club
5:30 Youth Vocal Band
6:30 Youth Group
10/19 Tuesday
6:00 Tuesday Night Together (TNT)
10/22 Saturday
7:00 Star Light Sounds Dance @ Fairwood UMC
10/23 Sunday
10:30 MS and SH Breakfast Club
5:30 Youth Vocal Band
6:30 Youth Group
10/26 Tuesday
6:00 No Tuesday Night Together (TNT)
10/30 Sunday
10:30 MS and SH Breakfast Club
5:30 Youth Vocal Band
6:30 Youth Group
11/01 Tuesday
6:00 Tuesday Night Together (TNT)
BACKPACK &
SCHOOL SUPPLY
WAY BACK INN
Our August Drive was very
successful! We collected 53
backpacks. In addition,
school supplies filling 10
grocery bags and $25 in cash donations were
received. Backpacks and supplies were divided
between schools in the Renton and Kent School
districts. The bags full of goodies were received
with much gratitude and joy! Thank you to our
sorters and to everyone that so generously
supported this important mission!
Raise your glass for Way
Back Inn on November 5th,
2016 from 6-9pm at the
Renton Technical College,
3000 N.E. 4th St., Bldg I,
Renton, WA 98056
The Way Back Inn is raising
money to continue providing transitional housing
for homeless families.
Join us for dinner and a wine auction. Enjoy a
delicious dinner, wine, silent auction, live
auction, dessert dash, wine grab and
more. ALL of your purchases go right back to
helping your own community! Purchase tickets
for $50 ($60 at the door) by calling 206-6176623 today.
We would love to have you join us.
Don and Joan Andersen
November 1-20
“20 Days of Giving”
Listen to our
Sermon Recordings
#20GivingDays
Our stewardship focus this year will be on
kindness and giving in our daily lives. Please
look for more information in your mail at the end
of October. We all will be challenged to pledge to
do 20 days of giving - which means 20 days to
do acts of kindness and service to others. An
act of kindness could be anything - call your
mother or your children. Donate blood. Buy a
stranger a coffee. Volunteer at your favorite
charity. Give food to the food bank. It will be a
fun way of practicing what it means to be a
follower of Jesus in our world...in little and big
ways. Get ready for this multi-generational
program which will involve children, Youth, and
Adults.
Missed a worship service?
Wasn’t quite sure what the
pastor/preacher said about
something? You can listen to
the scripture readings and
sermons after the service by
visiting our church website
(www.fairwoodumc.org). Under the Worship
tab is a page for Sermon Recordings. We keep
about three months of sermons on the website
page for you to listen to online or to download.
We usually record the whole 9:00 worship
service. If you’d like a .mp4 copy of a service or
a CD to listen to, just ask. Also, if you can help
with the process of recording of the worship
service (especially the 10:30 services), editing
and uploading the sermons, please contact
Donna Stock at
[email protected] or (425) 226-9023.
INTERESTED IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR
FAIRWOOD CHURCH?
Join us on October 23rd at 3 p.m. for a
conversation with Pastor Joyce. Plan on
spending about 90 minutes getting to know the
United Methodist Church and this congregation. Light
refreshments and lots of good conversation, in the parlor.
5
TNT Youth Bible Study Adult Help
TNT: Tuesday Nights Together is a bible study for
youth in grades 6-12. We need some wonderful
adult volunteers to make this vital ministry
possible. We need a second adult to be on
premises while we run the program, as per our
Safe Church policy. This individual would simply
need to be at the church for the hour we are
running the program. No programming
necessary!
A big THANK YOU for all who worked this
year’s Chicken BBQ!
TNT runs Tuesday Nights from 6-7pm.
Fall TNT Dates: Oct. 4th, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15,
Nov. 29
It takes a whole church to fill the air with (Holy)
Smoke and feed so many from the church and
the neighborhood. Special thanks to Joe and
Gayle Meyer, our fearless Chicken BBQ Masters!
The United Methodist Men and the United
Methodist Women raised funds for their on going
mission concerns. Over heard at Safeway the
day before: “No, I can’t go then, the Methodists
are having their barbeque and I am not missing
that!” Added this year was a Quilt Raffle (a
beautiful quilt donated by Jeanne Harmon) which
not only raised additional funds but was won by
Dianne Smith! A silent auction was added to the
regular Bazaar and Bake Sale. It’s a great
tradition for the whole church - and for our
neighborhood. Details about funds raised will be
announced soon!
If you are interested in assisting this ministry,
please sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/
go/30e0948abaa2ca4f85-tntyouth or Contact
Christina Kerstetter-Fischer at
[email protected]
No Yoga This Fall
We have been so blessed
for many years to have
Denise Lockett lead classes
in yoga here at Fairwood.
The program is going on
hiatus as she will be dealing
with knee surgery. Best
wishes to Denise - and as a practitioner of
yoga we know you will be on your feet very
soon! Thank you for the incredible leadership
you have given to so many here at Fairwood.
Tuesday Morning
9:30 A.M.
BYOB - Bring Your
Own Bible
In theParlor
We will look at the
lectionary texts for the
following Sunday. Check out the texts we will be
studying in the Sunday bulletin or get a list from
the office.
Thank You, Steve Kieta!
We are bidding a fond farewell to our
Community Life Coordinator. Steve Kieta has
been on staff for two years and brought organization, education and a centered spirit to our
church. He will be back with us on October 2nd
to participate in worship and to be able to say
good bye. Steve was able to be with us as he
transitioned from his call as a Catholic priest to
his new calling as an Episcopal priest. We wish
Steve and his fiancée, Kathleen, all the best as
they embark on a new life journey together.
Contact Information
Office Hours 9-12, 1-4 M-Th 9-12 Fridays
Office 425-228-4577 Pastor’s Cell 509-389-1406
Web site: www.fairwoodumc.org
6
Pastor Joyce O’Connor-Magee
[email protected]
Office Manager, Joletta Holman
[email protected]
October 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
2
3
4
5 Renton Community
Supper - SA Headqtrs
9:30 Bible Study - Parlor
& Name Tag Sunday
7 Boy Scouts M7, Sanctuary, MPR
7 Worship Committee Parlor
Thu
Fri
12 Staff mtg - Parlor
6 Tuesday Nights
Together - BH-3
7:30 Opening the Bible
- BH-2
5
Sat
1 Youth return from
Camp Gilead
retreat
The complete Youth Calendar is
available on p. 4 of The Epistle.
Every T & Th 7pm AA - M-7
Every Wed 6:45pm Al Anon - B-4
9 Celebration Worship
10:30 Classic Worship
11:45 Children’s Council BH-2
4 Acolyte Training Sanctuary
Wed
6
7
Pastor’s Day Off
8
10 UMW Board - Parlor
7 Choir practice Sanctuary, choir room
7 Trustees - Parlor
7 SPRC - BH-5
5:30 Scouts
7 SUMYT Planning
Leadership Training Lock-in - BH (to
Lock-in - MPR,
3pm Sun.)
Parlor
7 Cub Scout Pack
Committee - BH-5
No Youth Activities
9 Youth V0cal Band
9 Celebration Worship
10:30 Classic Worship
11:45 Yarn Happening Parlor
11:45 Youth Council BH-5
5:30 Youth Dinner
6:30 Youth Groups
16
10
7 Boy Scouts M7, Sanctuary
7 Signs for Glory Parlor
Joy Singers Sing
Bible Sunday
9 Celebration Worship
10:30 Classic Worship
11:45 Youth Council
17
5:30 Youth Vocal Band
6:30 Youth Groups
7 Boy Scouts M7, Sanctuary
23
24
9 Celebration Worship
10:30 Classic Worship
NO Joy Singers today
11:45 Yarn Happening Parlor
3:00 Get to Know the
Church
5:30 Youth Vocal Band
6:30 Youth Groups
30
9 Celebration Worship
10:30 Classic Worship
11:45 Youth Council
NO Youth Vocal Band
6:30 Youth Groups
5 Renton Community
Supper - SA Headqtrs
11
12
9:30 Bible Study - Parlor
3:45 Preschool Council
- M-7
13
10 UMW General
meeting - Parlor
7 Choir practice Sanctuary, choir room
14
Pastor’s Day Off
Parent’s Night IN
5:30 Dinner
6:15 Program
7 Church Council Parlor
7:30 Opening the Bible BH-2
18
19
20 Epistle Deadline
9:30 Bible Study - Parlor
4 M&E - Parlor
6 Tuesday Nights
Together - BH-3
21
Pastor’s Day Off
22
6 Cub Scout Pack 455
- MPR
7 Starlight
Sounds Dance BH
7 Choir practice 7:30 Opening the Bible - Sanctuary, choir room
BH-2
25
26
9:30 Bible Study - Parlor
27
38
Pastor’s Day Off
7 Boy Scouts M7, Sanctuary
7 Signs for Glory Parlor
15
29
6:30 Fall Festival
7:30 Trunk or
Treat
7:30 Opening the Bible 7 Choir practice BH-2
Sanctuary, choir room
7 Woodside HOA - BH-5
31
November 1
9:30 Bible Study - Parlor
7 Boy Scouts M7, Sanctuary
6 Tuesday Nights
Together - BH-3
2
3
7 Choir practice Sanctuary, choir room
10 UMW Board - Parlor
7
7 Cub Scout Pack
7:30 Opening the Bible Committee - BH-5
BH-2
7 Trustees - Parlor
4
Pastor’s Day Off
6 Middle School
Lock-in - BH (to
9am)
5
Fairwood Community
United Methodist Church
15255 SE Fairwood Blvd.
Renton, WA 98058-8645
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Renton, WA
Permit No. 143
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
OCTOBER 2016
Worship With Us This Sunday
9:00 Celebration Worship & 10:30 Classic Worship Service
Parent’s Night IN - is BACK!
October 15 5:30 p.m. Potluck
6:15 p.m. Activity
Thank You Volunteers of HOME
Every fall our church has an opportunity to serve
meals to the men of HOME in Kent. This is a
sheltering program under the direction of
Catholic Community Services. Men who stay at
the shelter are provided with not only a mean but
also case management services which focus on
addressing employment goals, mental health and
other issues, Veterans’ services, securing
permanent affordable housing and health care
for each individual. The HOME shelter has been
in operation in South King County for 12 years. It
is fun to see the varied menus that over 33
church volunteers prepare and serve! Special
thanks for Ed and Deanna Hirota who recruit and
over see this important ministry of our church!
8
Last spring we began a new program called
PARENT’S NIGHT IN. It starts with a potluck
for the whole family and then activities for the
kids and a time for parents to talk. All parents/
families with school aged children are invited.
The youth group will provide activities for kids.
This parents will be creating Dinner Table
Talking Jars - and discuss family and food
connections.
Put it on the calendar - a fun way for parents to
meet each other in the church!
Bring a dish to share at the potluck - child care
will be free!!!