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THE CIRCUIT RIDER Snoqualmie United Methodist Church

September/October 2019

SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG

Psalm 96:1 With gratitude to God and all of you Harley Brumbaugh plans to retire his role as SUMC Chancel Choir Director on September 29th. This seems the right time.

Were calling all choir members - present and past - to sing under Harleys direction one more time on Sunday September 29. Rehearsal would be

that same morning at 9 am. Well celebrate Harleys birthday (Oct 23) along with other October birthdays that day. And Harley will likely have some profound things to say! Please mark your calendars and tell your choir friends.

After that, the choir will enter an interim phase. Working together well invite different directors and try things out, open to what God might do in this new day. Harley and Cathy remain active with SUMC and will continue to offer their expertise in supportive ways.

The Holy Spirit is with us in the grief and possibilities of these days.

Prayers for Harley and Cathy, the choir community, and whomever/whatever Grace may be calling forth. God is good.

Together in Christ / Juntos en Cristo,

Pastor Lee

SAVE THE DATES Sunday, September 29 – Celebrating Harley

Sunday, September 29 , 12-1 pm – Congregational conversation

Saturday, October 5, 9 am-12 pm – Love Snoqualmie Valley

Saturday, October 12, 8:30-10 am – Inquirers’ Breakfast

Friday, October 25, 7 pm – All Church Conference

Sunday, November 3 – Clocks fall back

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WORSHIP FORECAST

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. - Acts 2:42

Sundays at 10:30 am; see www.snoqualmieumc.org for possible updates and adjustments. September 8 - Fall Kick-off Sunday with worship and games at Centennial Field picnic area. (If rain is significant meet at the church building instead.) Potluck lunch: Grilled items, water and lemonade provided. Bring something to share (salads, chips, desserts, other beverages...) if you like.

September 15 - Revelation in the Spirit of Hope, Revelation 1:9-19; 19:11-16; 21. Psalm 22. We Make the Road by Walking chapter 51.

September 22 - God in the End, Luke 15:11-32; Romans 8:31-39. Conclusions with We Make Road by Walking chapter 52. Congregational Conversation after worship, with Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services director Jennifer Kirk.

September 29 - Chancel Choir Celebration with Harley Brumbaugh directing. Zephaniah 3:14-20; Psalm 95:1-7; 150; Acts 16:25-34.

October 6 - World Communion Sunday. Isaiah 25:6-9. John 6:48-59.

October 13 - Saint Francis and the Universal Christ, with blessing of the animals. Bring your animal friends or a photo of them to worship. John 1:1-16.

October 20 - Worship While in Captivity, Lamentation and Reconnection part 1. Lamentations 1:15-18.

October 27 - Worship While in Captivity, Lamentation and Reconnection part 2. Lamentation 3:19-41.

November 3 - All Saints Day communion celebration. Congregational lunch with Rivers of Faith exercise after worship, led by Reri MacLean. Clocks fall back one hour this morning.

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THIS IS US

When we at SUMC are asked what we like about our church, many of us answer, “The people.” This column will focus on the individuals that make up "The people."

The Welcoming Committee hopes this will bring us a little closer to knowing that person we pass in the church hall or sit two pews behind in Sunday worship or nod to as we pour our Fellowship coffee. Were an interesting assortment.

Lucinda Hauser

Lucinda Hauser is a dual citizen, born in Vancouver, B.C. Lucinda has raised (with her terrific husband, Tim) “two wonderful human beings,” a son and daughter. She has also helped other young people, supporting many high school students for her 35 year career as a high school teacher and academic counselor/consultant.

She is thankful for her mother, who still models acceptance, loyalty and love towards family and friends, stewardship, and a quick wit, exercised in mind and card games, reading, and following the news. Lucinda has learned a lot from her and tries to follow in her footsteps,

Lucinda was an avid outdoorswoman and has approached her MS, diagnosed in 1993, in ways that have kept her as active as possible. She loves to read and especially loved Stephanie Kallos Broken for You, in which lonely people find unexpected happiness in surrogate families, with an unexpected and interesting twist in their lives which dates back to WWII. Lucindas friends would describe her as honest, open, loyal and tenacious. Her ten -month-old lab, Zoe, keeps her in hysterics, as do reruns of the Church Lady on Saturday Night Live. She treasures spending time with the people she loves.

Ron Sumners Ron Sumners grew up in Southern California, with “lots of family.” His hero is his grandfather, who took him to ball games and cared for Rons grandmother, and whose patience and goodness exemplified, in Rons opinion, “the fruits of the Spirit.” A math major at U Cal Santa Barbara, Ron first worked as an engineer and later as a cost analyst. He moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1969, where, in 1989, he began a second career as a driver for King County Metro Transit.

Retired now, Ron is known at SUMC as “The Professor” and keeps a notebook of the sixty to seventy books he reads each year. He likes historical fiction and loves C.S. Lewis, particularly his “Christian Apologetics” and the Narnia Series. He likes movies, too, and has vivid memories of how Ben Hur, a

secular movie, showed the profound confrontation between Ben Hur and Jesus.

Father of two sons, a daughter, three stepchildren by his wife, Carol, whom he married in 1987, and five grandchildren, Ron is happy and grateful that he was able to encourage and support his daughter in her quest to ice skate at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, where she won a silver medal. Described by his friends as “outgoing”, Ron still gets a kick out of old Laurel and Hardy episodes. He enjoys singing tenor in the choir and often leads the congregation in hymns.

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Betty Gildersleeve Betty Gildersleeve first attended SUMC in 1971, while her husband, Jim, whose family lived in North Bend, was serving in Vietnam. She remembers being welcomed each time she visited Jims family during his military career like shed never been away. When she and Jim returned to the Valley in 1992, Betty started attending SUMC on a regular basis. “This church has always been friendly and inviting,” she says.

Betty did substitute teaching in Texas, Maryland, Bad Aibling Station, Germany, and then in Valley schools for fifteen years. She loved the times she laughed along with the students when she made a mistake. She retired in 2007, and now has more time to devote to her favorite hobby—reading. Betty began helping out in the church office when the secretary left, and she still helps with the weekly service bulletins. Bettys friends see her as “friendly and caring.” She shows that care to SUMC by serving on the worship committee and the staff / parish committee.

Dave McRae Dave has lived on Seattle’s Eastside since 1996 and in North Bend since 2002. One of the reasons he chose North Bend was because of Snoqualmie United Methodist Church. In a post-9-11 world which generated some of the same kinds of political divisiveness that we are now experiencing, in Dave’s words, “proxy wars”, he found heartening the thoughtful exchanges between church members of differing political perspectives and the way the SUMC community cared for and supported one another. He liked the way people took the time to get to know one another, comparing this favorably with the current trend to indulge in what he calls “social media graffiti,” where people seek out only what they want to see and hear. In his words, “It is not about you; it is about the Lord.”

When we see Dave, it is usually in the choir loft. Other weekends find him hunting, fishing and worshipping outdoors. A past President of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group and hunting instructor, Dave is knowledgeable on the topic of wildlife ecology and management, using scientific research data to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of people.

Dave was attracted to this faith community because the “real people” with "real needs" welcomed him and his family. Two of his children were baptized here: Aaron on Mother’s Day when he was just 1½ days old and Elijah on Christmas day when he was 2 months old. His oldest son Jeremiah was baptized in South Dakota before his family arrived here.

Bob Miller Bob Miller spent his early years near Boston and, in 1985, moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he has practiced as a psychologist for thirty-two years. Bob is father to two grown sons and is happy that they are flourishing and that hes been a good daddy to them.

An avid reader, Bobs current favorite book is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. He greatly admires Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and is blown away by Dr. Kings non-violent stance in promoting social justice.

Bob was drawn to SUMC because he believes the people here “walk the talk.” Bobs friends describe him as “forthright, plain as dirt—what you see is what you get.” We at SUMC are glad hes willing to drive to church from West Seattle, so we can walk the talk with him.

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SNOQUALMIE VALLEY SHELTER MAY BE HOSTED HERE STARTING MID NOVEMBER

Congregational Conversation, September 29, 12 - 1 pm Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services director Jennifer Kirk will be participating in our "Congregational Conversation" time after worship September 29th (12 - 1 pm). If we are able once again to offer hospitality, the winter shelter hopes to be hosted here November 16 - January 16. Have you got questions, hopes, or concerns relating to Snoqualmie Valleys winter shelter? Please bring them September 29th. To find out more about SV Shelter Services please visit their website: www.svshelterservices.org.

Congregational conversations are scheduled every other month, alternating with our Lead Team meetings. These conversations are meant to foster communications and creativity across the congregation. Participants are welcome to bring whatever is on their minds relating to congregational life.

LOVE SNOQUALMIE VALLEY, OCTOBER 5 9 AM - 12 PM

Join the greater community in a day of service throughout Snoqualmie Valley, Saturday October 5th, 9 am - 12 pm. Snoqualmie UMC is signed up to help plant trees at Jeanne Hansen Community Park, 9 am - 12 pm. Sign up in the social hall or by contacting Pastor Lee (425-444-5556). More volunteer opportunities throughout the valley can be found on their website, lovesnoqualmie.com.

What is Love Snoqualmie Valley? "In 2007 Modesto, California was ranked one of the worst cities to live in America. A few churches in the community felt like it was time to make a change. With a lot of dreaming and planning, they brought all sectors of the community together and launched the first Love Modesto. They hoped for 100 people to join the effort and more than 1,200 people showed up to love their city in practical ways. Cities all over the nation are launching their own efforts and today over 136,000 volunteers are onboard to make their community a better place to live. And now, the Snoqualmie Valley is adding its name to the growing list of cities who are part of the Love Our Cities movement." Find out more at https://www.lovesnoqualmievalley.com/

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INQUIRERS BREAKFAST, SATURDAY OCTOBER 12

Considering church membership? An Inquirers Breakfast is planned for Saturday October 12, 8:30 - 10 am. Find out more about Snoqualmie UMC and the United Methodist Church in general. Bring whatever you want to share about your faith journey, and hear what others have to share as well. Discover the difference "membership" invites. Coffee and simple breakfast provided. Please RSVP to Pastor Lee, 425-444-5556, pastor@snoqualmieumc.info. Childcare available with advanced notice.

ALL CHURCH CHARGE CONFERENCE FRIDAY OCTOBER 25, 7 PM

District Superintendent Mark Galang will lead us in 2019s annual All Church/Charge Conference on Friday October 25, at 7 pm. Staff Parish Relations Committee meets with Rev. Galang at 6 pm. Regular annual business includes adopting an updated membership report, pastor compensation, election of church leaders for 2020, and yearly "accountability questions" that ensure basic institutional responsibilities are being met. Rev. Galang will lead us in reflections with Joshua 4:1-9. Think river rocks!

MAKING A NEW BANNER FOR SANCTUARY

Are you interested in making a new banner for the sanctuary during December? This year the Advent emphasis will be on Mary. The Worship Team sees so many possibilities to create around the image of Mary. If interested call Jacque Lindstrand 253-943-3726.

Sanctuary Arts - Jacque Lindstrand is pictured to the right preparing to finish a creative new banner. With support from the worship committee, she invites others to have fun collaborating on the next one.

INSPIRATIONAL SAYINGS THAT TAKE ON NEW MEANING WHEN PLACED IN A BATHROOM

Faith can move mountains

Believe

There are no great things, only small things with great love

This too shall pass

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SUMC OUT IN THE WORLD

From Karolann and Richard Whetsell: Wow! What a great send off. We have had a smooth trip, and, after a few anxious days hunting for a place to park the RV, we have found a long term location. We miss the great Northwest weather and the great fellowship at Snoqualmie UMC but hopefully the time will pass quickly and we will be back soon. When we have time to use the Visa gift card for a nice dinner, we will send pictures. Please continue the wonderful work of being Christ’s presence in the Snoqualmie Valley.

Love,

Richard and Karolann

Photo by Reri McLean

From Brenda Foster: We are doing well here. Scott and I both love it here in CleElum. Its different than what weve known in Snoqualmie for 40+ years. Winters arent terrible, since we are blessed with an old tractor to plow snow:) Summers make me a bit nervous with the fire dangers. Spring and Fall are fabulous!!!!! *** The Methodist Church closest to us is in Ellensburg. Tricky to get there in the Winter. Weve been going to the CleElum Community Church. Solid message there. The people there have been very welcoming to us "outsiders". HAHA! Take care - God is doing wonderful things everywhere!!! Love to you - Brenda

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THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

Railroad Days 2019

Photos by Reri McLean and Lee Carney Hartman

Choir Sendoff for Penny Grady

Photo by Carol Morrison

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Baptisms

Charles Grant Finney

Maple MarJeanne Sherrill-Addington

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COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

If you have any suggestions or ideas for me for future issues, please let me know!

Thanks, Toddie Downs (toddiedowns@yahoo.com)

Contact Us

Snoqualmie United Methodist Church 38701 SE River St. Snoqualmie WA 98065 425-888-1697 pastor@snoqualmieumc.com www.snoqualmieumc.com

SNOQUALMIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 38701 SE River St. Snoqualmie WA 98065