What's Happening at FUMCB

What's coming up THIS WEEK @ FUMC Bellevue

Hey everyone!

Last fall about 25 people in our congregation participated in White Fragility book study groups. I can honestly say that was a life-changing time for me. I have never been so conscious of all the discrimination, systemic racism, and everyday insults people of color have to endure, as well as the privilege I and other white people too often take for granted,

The hardest thing about all this learning, is that it was hard to talk about these issues, to say out loud things like " I'm ashamed to say that I..." or "I'm embarrassed to admit that I....." But, wow, once we opened up it was truly transformational.

This Sunday at 2 pm, we have the opportunity for a similar experience of which I hope you'll take advantage. Clyde Ford, a retired WWU instructor and well-loved author will be here to lead a discussion, with warmth and openness, on race in modern-day America with a heavy emphasis on audience participation. Meant for people of all races, we will all come away with tools for engaging in conversations about race in honest, transparent, and meaningful ways. Though ambitious, Clyde hopes to make a difference in bridging and healing the racial divide.

This program is sponsored by Humanities Washington, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which, through their speakers bureau and other programs, opens minds and bridges divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. We are very lucky to be able to host one of their programs!

So, come to worship, enjoy lunch with friends, even take a little nap, but don't forget to come back at 2 for this extraordinary opportunity.

See you then!

Laurie
Director of Catalyst Ministries

P.S. If you didn't participate in a White Fragility book study group but would like to, let me know OR check the book out of our social justice library.

Here's what's happening in the
Bellevue First United Methodist Church Community:

LET’S TALK ABOUT RACE
THIS SUNDAY Jan 26th at 2 pm at FUMCB
Racism thrives in silence. Yet race is one of the most difficult topics to discuss in American society. With warmth and openness, renowned author and professor, Clyde Ford, leads a discussion on race in modern-day America with a heavy emphasis on audience participation. Meant for people of all races, participants will come away with tools for engaging in conversations about race in an honest, transparent, and meaningful way.
Presented in cooperation with Humanities Washington.

Action Changes Things: Racial Equity
Stop by after the service tomorrow and pick a tag—make a commitment to act on behalf of racial equity. Most commitments are simple: read an article, listen to a podcast, pray for a particular group of people, or donate to help organizations that fight for equity. Here are what is on the tags, in case you want to get a head start! (Just click on the blue underlined items and you'll be taken to the web page).

Listen to a podcast:
- NPR Code Switch: A tale of two school districts
- TED Talk: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them!
- TED Talk: How To Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time
Do something
- Read this article about “10 things you should know about white privilege”
- Read this article about “100 Ways White People Can Make Life Less Frustrating For People of Color “
- Do the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Forming Challenge.
Donate to
Pray for
- black men/boys (who are 250x more likely to be shot by police than white men/boys)
- American Indian children, of whom 65% are victims of neglect.
- Latina women, who earn 76%/week of what white women earn

GOD CAN'T: WHY DIVINE LOVE IS UNCONTROLLING with Thomas Jay Oord
Sun. Feb 9th at 6 pm
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does evil exist? Some say God’s ways are not our ways. Some say God allows evil for a greater purpose or that evil is God's punishment. The usual answers fail. They don't support the truth that God loves everyone all the time. Author Thomas Jay Oord says God provides a different perspective, an understanding of God that thoughtful, ethical people can believe in. Join us to learn more.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A BARISTA?
We all love our warm drinks on Sunday morning! From that first cup when you arrive to the last cup as you say goodbye, that beverage keeps you warm and makes you feel welcome. Becky Kane has made the coffee the majority of Sundays since time immemorial (or at least for a decade). Its time to give her a break!

We’re looking for 4 or 5 people willing to come in one Sunday a month at 9 am to make beverages by 9:30 for the thirsty, and sometimes desperate, hordes. Its simple, its important, and its a good way to serve others! Let Laurie E know or click here.

PLANNING CENTER
We’re beginning to use Planning Center, an online tool, for scheduling our 30+ volunteers each Sunday. It means less volunteer time scheduling and communicating mundane details, and more volunteer time actually helping others! It also means less scheduling emails (but you’ll still get a reminder email) and one place where you can find all your Sunday morning commitments.

If you are a liturgist, communion preparer or communion server, and have been contacted by Laurie Edwards to set up an account, please do so by this evening if possible! If you haven’t been contacted, don't worry! We’re adding volunteer roles one at a time, making sure everything works well before moving on.

See Laurie E with questions, concerns, and ideas!

Upcoming Events

January

THIS Sunday, Jan. 26th 2 pm
Let's Talk About Race

Tuesday, Jan. 28th 6:30 pm
Leadership Council

February

Sunday, Feb. 2nd after worship
Pizza with the Pastor

Sunday, Feb. 9th 6 pm
God Can't: Why Divine Love is Uncontrolling

Tuesday, Feb. 11th 3 pm
Book Discussion Group

Tuesday, Feb. 11th 6:30 pm
Leadership Council

Monday, Feb. 17th 6:30 pm
The Oasis
Bellevue Brewing

Wednesday, Feb. 26th
Ash Wednesday - LENT STARTS

Sunday Volunteers
Opener: Becky K
Liturgist: Lee D
Ushers: Clare P, Bill P
Greeters: Lee D, Darlene H.
Communion Preparer: Linda D
Communion Servers: Clara P, Lynne S, Maggie R
PowerPoint: Steve P
Friend of Skipper: Nancy B
Closer:
Sack Lunch Lead: Jim J, Kim M
Sack Lunch Packers: 9:30 – Lynne S, Sherrie M, Lorrie S
11:00 – Sheri Y, Brie A, Andy M
Sack Lunch Deliverer: Phyllis B, Jack B

For Your Prayers

Consider spending some time this week in a moment of quiet reflection or prayer. Consider praying for the following:

Please pray for all those who don't have warm places to sleep, loving family and good friends.
Please pray for the Kirk's new baby, Mercer, and parents.
Please pray for the family and friends of Marietta Martin.
Please pray for Alexander (Albert) Karg and family.
Please pray for Rev. Israel Alvaran (Izzy) from Reconciling Ministries Network, that his work in Africa and the Philippines (as well the US) may bear fruit.
Please pray for Pastor Joe and his LGBTQ+ friendly medical clinic and church in Kenya
Please pray for Pastor Phil for wisdom, strength, vision, and health
The mission and vision of our Church
Our church family and friends
The local community and our neighbors
The United Methodist Church

Online Resources

SEA-TAC UMC DISTRICT NEWSLETTER Here

FAITH ACTION NETWORK (FAN) www.fanwa.org

CHURCH COUNCIL OF SEATTLE www.thechurchcouncil.org

EARTH MINISTRY www.earthministry.org

RICHARD ROHR (meditations) www.cac.org

SOJOURNERS www.sojo.net

A NEW THEOLOGICAL CONFESSION www.reclaimingjesus.org

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK www.rmnetwork.org