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Pastor Amy's Thoughts...

7/27/2016

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Greetings!
     You may remember a classic book titled “The Way Things Work.” In that book were simple diagrams that attempted to explain how a toaster, a toilet, a vacuum cleaner and other mysteries of the universe functioned. For someone like me who is not mechanically inclined, it was a fascinating exploration of the inner workings of the machines we use every day.
     I was reminded of this book as I served as a commissioner from Northwest Coast Presbytery to the biennial meeting of the PCUSA General Assembly (GA) last month in Portland, Oregon. While the trip down the road was not that far, it was miles away from my usual experience of the church. Our delegation of 5 combined with delegations from all 171 presbyteries to do the business of the church in committee meetings of 60 persons and plenary sessions of over 600. As well-versed as I am in parliamentary procedure, it was still a struggle at times to remember where we were in the process, especially as we moved and amended substitute motions. At one point our moderator asked our stated clerk, “Where are we?” and Grayde Parsons answered, “Madam Moderator, we are still in Portland.” I think we need a page in “The Way Things Work” to describe the process of GA decision-making. GA offered amazingly beautiful worship services, moments of genuine celebration and times when I was extremely proud to be a Presbyterian.
     It was a joy to connect with Presbyterians from across the US and our ecumenical partners & missionaries from around the globe. One of my fellow CREDO participants was commissioned for missionary service in the Philippines. Another colleague from my Seattle Presbytery days was honored as she retires from the mission field. Both of these celebrations were reminders that our missionaries serve the whole church. And don’t get me started talking about the exhibit hall. I came home with a whole sack of books and another sack filled with materials from the various vendors.  
     But the biggest impression from this GA was one that also struck me at my first GA many years ago when I was a Youth Advisory Delegate (now they are called Young Adult Advisory Delegates). Simply put, the church is messy. Just like the people who attend worship, serve in leadership, and are called as elders, deacons, and pastors – the church is imperfect and always in need of reform. And yet, in the midst of this messiness, the church is faithful to her calling: teaching, preaching, feeding the hungry, and caring for those in need. God does not need us to first be made perfect in order to use us to do good and important work.
     Overall the message of this GA was one of hope. We were the final approval for including the Belhar confession from South Africa in our Book of Confessions – and that was a joyous hopeful celebration as we affirmed our solidarity with all who have been or are currently oppressed. It is clear to me that the PCUSA is faithfully moving forward in mission and ministry – and it’s exciting to be part of a church on the move.
     Please feel free to ask me questions about this year’s GA. I’m more than happy to try to explain the way things work, and to share my enthusiasm for being a part of a church that is in the midst of so much vital and important ministry across our nation and around the world.

With thanks in Christ, 
Pastor Amy


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​June was Graduation Month. It was a joy to celebrate with our new graduates on June 12th.

7/27/2016

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College
Logan C., Charlotte B.’s grandson, graduating from UW with a major in Psychology.
Rachel R., Jane Anne H.’s granddaughter, graduating from WWU with majors in Journalism and Spanish.
 
High School
 Kate S-D., graduating from Shorecrest High School.
 Lisa T., graduating from Mountlake Terrace High School. 
 
Preschool
 Will S., graduating from West Edmonds Co-op preschool pre-K class.

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Coloring Fun Continues

7/27/2016

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Come join a small group on Friday, July 22nd and Friday, August 19th at 7PM for a time of coloring together. Bring your pencils, markers, and coloring pages – or just come and we’ll have materials for you to use. Studies have shown that coloring has a similar effect on the brain as meditation or knitting/crocheting. Come and relax with us as we color together. Bring a friend – all are welcome.

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Volunteers – We Thank You!

7/27/2016

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Many thanks to all our volunteers who make the church run smoothly, and who serve as an extension of our ministry in the wider community. For the choir, our musicians, our liturgists and Sunday School teachers – we thank you! For our gardeners, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, and tree waterers – we thank you! For our church leaders, our deacons, and our elders – we thank you! For those who file choir music, tend the bulletin boards, donate and distribute food to the food bank – we thank you! For our money counters, our childcare assistants, our emailers, and our ushers – we thank you! For those who help with sound, with work parties, and in the office – we thank-you! For those who volunteer in the schools, with the Red Cross, at the food banks, and so many other places – we thank-you! And for all I forgot to name (you know who you are) we thank-you, too!

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​Per Capita – Per Capita – Per Capita at 55%

7/27/2016

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Keep it a coming in – We are almost there! Our Per Capita (membership in the Presbyterian Community) cost this year is $47.65 / person for a total of $3,335.50 ($47.65 X 70 members). As of June 27th we have received over 55% of that amount. If you haven’t had a chance to send your Per Capita in, now is a great time to do so. Don’t worry, if you can’t afford it, we still love you and we will pay your Per Capita out of the general fund – No we will not kick you out for non-payment. I didn’t understand what this fee was for, so for 40 years I didn’t pay it – and you didn’t get rid of me!
Thank you!
Don I.
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​Deacons fund helps our community in times of need

7/27/2016

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Thank-you to all who donate to our Deacons fund. The Deacons fund is available to help church and our neighbors in Edmonds with one-time emergent needs. We have paid for a night in a hotel, an electric bill, a bus ticket, food, diapers, a car bill, and so much more. Thank you for helping make this ministry possible. It is good to know that if someone calls the church looking for assistance, we may be able to help them.
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​Missionary Jan G.

7/27/2016

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You are invited to join us for worship on Sunday, August 7th, as we welcome Missionary Jan G. to share with us some of her work in Sweden. A missionary in Sweden? If you haven’t heard her story, you’ll want to come on the 7th and listen. She’s doing good work and we, through our financial support, are partners with her in this work.

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​Summer Parables

7/27/2016

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During worship throughout the summer we will be hearing and responding to the parables of Jesus. The parables are those short stories Jesus told his disciples and the crowds who followed him. The parables are metaphors, often exaggerated, that teach us more about who Jesus is and what the Kingdom of God is all about. They are simple, but very challenging. Come as we unpack the parables throughout July and August.

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​Sunday August 14th is our annual Outdoor Worship Sunday

7/27/2016

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Come join us outside as we worship God celebrating the beauty of creation. Come a little early and help us set up, and stay afterwards for a potluck lunch together. Bring a friend, invite a neighbor - all are welcome! 10 AM on the 14th.

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​Parking Lot Sale to Benefit Local Mission

7/27/2016

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You are invited to join us Saturday August 27th either to sell or to buy (or maybe both?) at our first ever parking lot fundraiser sale. For a donation of $25 you may reserve a stall to sell your goods as you would at your own yard sale. You bring your own tables /etc. and clean up your area when the sale is done. All donations from the stall rentals will go to our local missions’ budget which supports the local food banks, the PSCC dental clinic in Lynnwood, and other local charities. To reserve your stall you may leave a message at the church office 425-776-4334 or look for a sign-up form in your church email soon.

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