Christ Church Happenings: Conversations With Blaine Chief of Police

SPECIAL THIS
SUNDAY 10/25:
CONVERSATIONS WITH
BLAINE CHIEF OF POLICE DONNELL TANKSLEY

This summer, in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others at the hands of police, and in the midst of protests across the country, Police Chief Tanksley wrote an Op/Ed in The Bellingham Herald and The Northern Light titled It's long time the two Americas come together. We encourage you to click on the link to read his article before church this Sunday.

This Sunday, we are in for a special sermon, as The Rev. Jo Beecher and Chief Tanksley present a "dialogue" sermon during the Facebook livestream Sunday worship service.

After the service, the conversation will continue on Zoom, where Christ Church parishioners will have an opportunity to respond and ask questions, facilitated by Rev. Jo. Please join us for this special time of listening, talking and learning about policing, protests and racism. Courtesy photo, Northern Light.

Zoom Conversation With Chief Donnell Tanksley - following the service
Oct 25, 2020 11:30 AM Pacific Time

Join Zoom Meeting via SMART PHONE, IPAD OR COMPUTER here:
https://zoom.us/j/97899202709?pwd=RmM0a1lCdHhNQW5RSzk0L0h1bjVpZz09
Meeting ID: 978 9920 2709
Passcode: 442341

If you are using your LANDLINE OR CELL PHONE, please call
+1 253 215 8782 US
Meeting ID: 978 9920 2709
Passcode: 442341

ALL THINGS COME FROM THEE, O LORD.

And of thine own,
have we given thee.

I was raised to tithe, to give to the church a fixed percent of my “increase” or income. It was a penny when I was little, a dime if I earned a dollar mowing a lawn or delivering papers when older and so on. But interestingly I never had a good idea why. It was just a commandment and to be obedient that was what I was to do. That is until several years ago when I first attended an Episcopal church and as the offering was presented at the altar heard people say “All things come from thee, O Lord. And of thine own, have we given thee.” (1 Chronicles 29:14) It was then that I understood that everything I had had come to me due to God’s grace, freely given, and that it was for me to give back so His work might continue and that was the “why”.

-Bruce Smith
Photo credit: St. John's Episcopal Church, Grand Haven, MI

INPUT SOUGHT ON DIOCESAN RESOLUTIONS

These are the resolutions on the floor of our Convention this year. Your delegates represent YOU, Christ Church! So if you’d like to talk about how you’d like for them to vote on these issues before the Church, please contact April Thomson or Billie Watts prior to 10/23. Thank you.

https://greeningspirit.com/2020/09/22/ethnic-ministries-circles-of-color-convention-resolutions

MOMENTS OF GRATITUDE

Thanks to April Thomson, for assuming the role of Clerk through the end of the year, and for her faithful production of the church bulletin for our online services each week. April has been producing bulletins as a volunteer for over a year now...
Thanks to Mary Rebman and Nature's Path, for donations of 12 bags of product to share with Loads of Love clients.
Much appreciation to Susan Thomson and The Rev. Rilla Barrett, for working together on two grants to provide funds for Loads of Love and to purchase equipment for the Facebook livestream, and to Susan for all that she does as our bookkeeper and volunteer parish administrator in the absence of a Vicar.
Thanks to parishioners who donated three bags of coats for the fall coat drive.
Farewell and many thanks to Jodith Allen, who is moving to Texas this week. We so appreciate Jodith's leadership as prayer list steward, coffee hour host, Bishop's Committee member, ReEntry Committee member, Yellow Team member, lector, intercessor, eucharistic minister and more.
Ongoing appreciation to our three supply clergy, The Rev. Rilla Barrett, The Rev. Jo Beecher, and The Rev. Terry Kyllo.
Thanks to Myra Ryneheart Corcorran for compiling the ReGathering Report.

CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE

The process of calling a new Vicar to Christ Episcopal Church is progressing smoothly. Most of the process is confidential (so forgive the lack of details) but the Call Committee and Bishop's Committee want all of our members to know that progress is being made. Watch this email newsletter for updates.

OPEN POSITIONS - VOLUNTEER NOW!

We have open positions on the Bishop's Committee (3 year terms, with the Committee meeting once per month) and also need folks to serve as Delegates and Alternates to Diocesan Convention (1 year terms, one weekend per year) next year. If you have an interest in serving as a leader of our parish or attending Diocesan Convention, please let any member of the Bishop's Committee know. Terms start after the annual meeting in January 2021.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS NEEDED

Please keep up your generous donations whether food or financial support. As has been reported, we are the only ones who give diapers, baby food, and formula so that type of contribution is always needed. Food donations as well as hygiene items and pet food are always in demand. If you leave donations on the back porch, that works well. Please let Mary Rebman know (360-319-8495). This is what we can do to help and heal our community.

In September, Christ Church Blaine donated 119 pounds to the Blaine Food Bank. Thank you to all who remember those in need in our community each month, and to Bruce Smith for delivering food donations each week and collecting our poundage receipts!

NOTE FROM THE TREASURER

If you normally place your pledge in the offering plate on Sundays, please consider mailing it while worship services are cancelled to 382 Boblett St., Blaine, WA 98230. You may also click on the "Donate Now" button or this link to be connected to the secure giving page on our website. Thank you!

Please note that pledges may be modified or changed, especially if you are experiencing financial hardship during the pandemic. Email Susan Thomson, our pledge secretary, if you need to make any changes.

REGATHERING REPORT

Thanks to all who responded to Christ Church's regathering survey.
Please click here to read the full overview.

SEEKING COFFEE HOUR HOSTS

Volunteers are welcome to "host" virtual coffee hour. Is this something you feel called to do? Duties could include one or more of the following: 1) signing into the meeting 5 minutes prior and admitting folks to the Zoom meeting 2) serving as conversation facilitator and tech advisor as needed and/or 3) providing conversation questions or themes each week. Training and support provided. Contact myra@laughingflowerlabyrinth.com with questions or interest.

VIRTUAL COFFEE CHAT
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Next Meeting: Sunday, November 1st
10:45am-11:15am

Join Zoom Meeting via SMART PHONE, IPAD OR COMPUTER here:
https://zoom.us/j/99860175037?pwd=d0F2WlhZVFhoSFVveTl5bFNiT1p2Zz09
Meeting ID: 998 6017 5037
Password: 252225

If you are using your LANDLINE OR CELL PHONE, please call
+1 253 215 8782
You will be prompted to punch in your meeting ID number followed by #
Meeting ID: 998 6017 5037# You then will be asked to enter your pass code followed by # Passcode: 252225#

Image credit: unitedwalpole.org

Things to Know About Zoom Coffee Hour

You'll arrive “muted” (microphone is off):
1. When you are ready to talk, click the “unmute” button at the bottom left of your screen.
There will be a delay as the Host lets everyone into the meeting. Be patient as it takes a few minutes to join, and for your audio and video to start up.
If you have Zoom on full screen, you will be able to see more people. There is also a small button on the top right of your screen which allows you to switch from “Speaker View” to “Gallery View” so you can see more people!