Following Jesus: We Love, Grow, Serve & Share

The Tidings Gig Harbor United Methodist Church Newsletter July 2016, Vol. 32 (7)

Welcome Pastor Molly and the Fraser Family Effective July 1, 2016, GHUMC welcomes Reverend Molly Fraser and her fam-ily to this church. Pastor Molly will lead worship on July 3, 2016. We are plan-ning a welcome time for Pastor Molly and her family on Sunday, July 10, 2016 between services (10am-11am). We will be serving cake, coffee, tea and punch. We hope that all of you will plan on attending this welcoming time with us. Rev. Molly Fraser grew up in the Kelso UMC church where they fostered in her a sense of service and community, rooted in faith. Music was a big part of her life, and Molly played viola in school and in community symphonies, and ac-companied many groups on piano. Molly majored in music education at Univer-sity of Redlands, where she met husband Peter, and they both taught music in the public schools. During those five years after college, they lived in an inten-tional Christian community in San Bernardino, sharing resources, eating to-

gether, ministering at church, and learning to be adults. Fast forward a few years, and Molly felt that early call to ordained

ministry more loudly this time and began to explore options. She went to Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry earning a Masters of Divinity while serving as music director at Lakewood UMC, and do-ing a yearlong internship with the Tacoma Connection churches. During her fourth and final year, she was offered a one-year appointment at Mil-ton UMC with the charge to help the church close gracefully or help it find its mission and live. They chose the latter.

After that year, Molly was appointed to Light of the Hill UMC in the South Hill area of Puyallup. She spent five years there helping them live into their Reconciling status, simplifying overgrown programs, and bringing finances back into sustainability.

Molly and Peter and have two daughters, Malia and Sophie, who are awfully close to becoming teenagers.

Peninsula FISH Food Bank Food Drive

Peninsula FISH is most appreciative of the food and money they have received from our GHUMC congregation. In April the Food Bank was able to help feed 281 families in our community and the same in May. The GHUCM Mission Social Concerns Committee is proposing that the third Sunday of each month be Food Bank donation day and we fo-cus on a different type of food each month. July 17 is the 3rd Sunday of the month and so we suggest it be “Peanut Butter and Jelly” Sunday. (Of course any kind of food is happily accepted any time.) Please place your FISH Food Bank food donations in the basket located just inside the church entrance. Thank you for your on-going support of this impor-tant community ministry.

God’s Little Produce Patch The garden patch is again open on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30 - 11:00am. Feel free to take what you can eat or to contribute extra from your own garden. Questions? Contact the church office at 253-851-

2625 during the week or see Dorothy Lawton on Sundays.

Youth Weekend Retreat June 15-16, the youth group cele-

brated the end of school by staying overnight in Pastor Jim and San-dra’s house in Seaside one final time. We sang songs, practiced our van-dancing skills, went to the beach, had s’mores, and explored town! It was a short trip, but full of good times, laughter, and bonding.

Welcome to summer!

In Her Own Words In preparation for her arrival to GHUMC, Pastor

Molly Fraser had these thoughts: Dear Soon-to-be-friends, Tonight I write, knowing that to-morrow I will help the incoming pastor carry thirty-five boxes of books into a classroom while she waits for me to vacate this office and move to Gig Harbor UMC’s office. This shuffling of pastors is a strange and common machine in

our UMC circles and no two moves are alike. In fact, I am amazed by the different situations my col-leagues find themselves in; we have a lot of stories to share.

The boxes pile up high, a constant reminder of transition. We’re just as embarrassed as everyone else by the sheer amount of stuff we have accumu-lated. We’re grabbing for the silverware when it’s already been packed away. We’re almost out of packing tape, and we’ll have to take yet another trip to find more while we wonder what else we may have forgotten.

And then people ask, “Are you excited to be mov-ing?” And we look at them funny because it’s compli-cated.

Moving is hard and all kinds of stressful. And when you love ministry and people and place like I do, your heart gets ripped apart when you think about leaving all this behind. But that’s the hard part. The good part is that I love ministry and people and place, so it takes me a short time to fall in love, to listen and learn, to get my hands dirty, and want to be part of life in the fullest way possible.

So, am I excited to meet you? Yes. Yes, I am. Am I having a hard time knowing my last Sunday

is upon me? Yes. Just like with you and Pastor Jim. Don’t worry. I know it’s hard to let someone go,

especially someone you’ve loved and who has loved you well.

It will take some time for us to get to know one another, but I’ll love you before you know it. And I trust that very soon we’ll be moving forward on this road of discipleship together.

See you soon, Pastor Molly

July Open Meals Served Monday, July 18, 5:30-6:30pm

Thursday, June 28, Noon-1:00pm Open Table meals are free and served to all re-

gardless of need. Please come and enjoy these spe-cial meals prepared in our beautiful new kitchen. BRING A FRIEND!! For information on ways to be involved in this ministry, contact the church office.

It's Now the Wesley D-Group The formerly called New Discipleship Group,

which was meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, has chosen the name the Wesley D-group. We are excited as we develop as a newly formed discipleship group. We are now meeting weekly on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:15pm at David and Ruth Carter's. NOTE: This is a change in leaders, day of the week, location, and frequency of the meetings.

We have been study The Class Meeting, which describes and suggest John Wesley's model for small group meetings, which our church calls "discipleship groups." This group has decided to basically follow John Wesley's model. It is not necessary to have read the book to be a part of our discussion.

Currently we have nine active members. We en-courage others to join us, even if you cannot make it every week. Call Ruth or David Carter for questions and directions at 253-432-4549

It's going to be a fun summer in the nursery. A few things to note:

- The nursery is open every Sunday from 9:00 am to Noon regardless of Sunday School schedule or other church events. Our attendants will be ready to welcome your children each Sunday.

- Our nursery cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old during both worship services and the edu-cation hour. Once a child reaches 6 years old he/she "ages out" of the nursery care.

Please request a pager or leave your cell phone number in case the nursery attendants need to con-tact you during worship or education classes. Please keep either the pager or cell phone handy as to not miss the possible communication.

For questions about the church nursery please contact Meredith Browand at meredith@ghumc.org.

Vacation Bible School Right Around the Corner

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you probably know that VBS is July18-22nd at the SURF SHACK! That is right around the corner! To get ready, VBS volunteers at-tended a Friday night training held on June 3rd.

Every year, I find articles about why VBS should not be part of a church’s outreach: it is a money suck, people use it for babysitting, it teaches children that entertainment is the only form of learning about God. All of these points could certainly be argued but one trumps them all. Discipleship. Sure, we only have them for one week. A few hours a day. Then they move on. But what if we thought of it like this:

Children come to Sunday School once a week for 50 min-utes. That’s approx 52 Sunday School sessions. Children at VBS come for 3 hours for 5 days. That’s the equivalent of 15 Sun-days Schools! That’s sharing with children a message that carries with them along their faith journey! That’s what disci-pleship looks like for kids! Learning alongside others and then sharing what they learned with others! Our church supports this out-

reach in amazing ways…We know the power of VBS. Take note of the people listed in the boxes to the left... They have committed to serve this outreach and need your prayer. Prayer is powerful and awesome! Stop and lift each name in prayer. And let’s not forget the children! We have not met them yet but they will know us by the time VBS has closed! Pray for those being called to join us, that they listen to our loving God! For more informa-

tion about Vacation Bible School 2016: SURF SHACK, contact the church office or Michelle Meis at michelle@ghumc.org.

Connie Lefevre David Carter David Meis Elaine Odom Ivey West

Janet Medcalf Jenna Bissenas Josh Bissenas Joanne Mosher Sandra McMillen Karin Ashabraner Sue Kucklick

Carol Pitman Kathy Reinmuth Kay Haarmann Leann ONeill Liz Fortson

Nancy Elwood Meredith Browand Patty Morton Rosemary Scales Ruth Carter

Sharon Stearnes Wendy Post

Sun Mon Tue Wed

3

Communion Sunday 9:00am Worship Contemporary 10:00am Christian Education for All

Ages & Hospitality 11:00am Worship Traditional

4 Independence Day

Church Office Closed 10:00am Women’s AA Meeting, rm#4 1:00pm A.A., Sund Room 7:00pm Couples AA, Sund Room

5 NO UMW Team Meeting, SR 6:30pm D-Group, Garchow’s home

6 1:30pm D-Group @ Church6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S6:30pm The Wesley D

6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS47:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, SR

10 9:00am Worship Contemporary 10:00am Welcome Reception for

Pastor Molly & Family 11:00am Worship Traditional

11 10:00am Women’s AA Meeting, rm#4 1:00pm A.A., Sund Room 1:00pm Staff Meeting, L 7:00pm Couples AA, Sund Room

12 1:00pm Open Table Planning, L 3:00pm LPMT, FH 6:30pm Finance Meeting, SR

13 12:30pm Gig Harbor Quilters, FH1:30pm D-Group @ Church3:30pm Trustees, L6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S6:30pm The Wesley D

6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS47:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, SR

17 9:00am Mission & Social Cncrns, 9:00am Worship Contemporary 10:00am Christian Education for All

Ages & Hospitality 11:00am Worship Traditional Noon Ad Board Meeting, FH

18 9am—Noon VBS: Surf Shack No Women’s AA Meeting, L 1:00pm A.A., SS #4 1:00pm Staff Meeting 5:30pm Open Table Dinner, FH, K 7:00pm Couples AA, #4

19 9am—Noon VBS: Surf Shack NO UMW Tea & Program, SR 6:30pm Garchow’s D-Group

20 9am—Noon VBS: Surf ShackNO D-Group @ Church3:30pm Trustees, L6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S6:30pm The Wesley D

6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS47:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, TBD

24 July 23-31 Youth Mission Trip 9:00am Worship Contemporary 10:00am Christian Education for All

Ages & Hospitality 11:00am Worship Traditional

31 See above Noon All Church Pot-Luck, FH

25 Youth Mission Trip 10:00am Women’s AA Meeting, rm#4 1:00pm A.A., Sund Room 7:00pm Couples AA, Sund Room

26 Youth Mission Trip 5:30pm Peninsula Art League, FH

27 Youth Mission Trip10:30am From We to Me Widows Group, Kimball Espresso 1:30pm D-Group @ Church6:30pm The Wesley D

6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS47:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, SR

31 29

JULY 2016 GIG HARBOR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Thu Fri Sat

1

2

Group @ Church 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S 6:30pm The Wesley D-Group at

the Carter’s home 6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS4 7:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, SR

7 9:00am Friends of the Trustees 4:00pm Pieces of Love Quilters, FH 6:30pm Praise Band Rehearsal 7:30pm A.A., Sund Room

8

9 10:00am Alzheimer's Support Grp, SR

12:30pm Gig Harbor Quilters, FH Group @ Church

3:30pm Trustees, L 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S 6:30pm The Wesley D-Group at

the Carter’s home 6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS4 7:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, SR

14 9:00am Friends of the Trustees 6:00pm Pizza & Game Night, FH 6:30pm Praise Band Rehearsal 6:30pm SPRC, L 7:30pm A.A., SS #4

15

Tidings articles due to church office

16 8:30am-Noon Spruce Up Day 10:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry, SR

Noon VBS: Surf Shack Group @ Church

3:30pm Trustees, L 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S 6:30pm The Wesley D-Group at

the Carter’s home 6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS4 7:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, TBD

21 9am—Noon VBS: Surf Shack NO Friends of the Trustees 4:00pm Pieces of Love Quilters, FH 6:30pm Praise Band Rehearsal 7:30pm A.A., SS #4

22 9am—Noon VBS: Surf Shack

23

Youth Mission Trip 10:30am From We to Me Widows Group, Kimball Espresso

Group @ Church 6:30pm The Wesley D-Group at

the Carter’s home 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal, S 6:45pm Overeaters Anonymous, SS4 7:30pm Gig Harbor Meditation, SR

28 Youth Mission Trip 9:00am Friends of the Trustees Noon-1:00pm Open Table Lunch

Served, K, FH 6:30pm Praise Band Rehearsal 6:30pm Membership Outreach, FH 7:30pm A.A., Sund Room

29 Youth Mission Trip

30 Youth Mission Trip

Please visit our website at www.ghumc.org for

updates to our calendar of events and activities.

Food Backpacks 4 Kids

Thank-you for your on-going support of the Food Backpacks 4 Kids program. Year round, GHUMC supports this community program by col-lecting the following non-perishable food items:

cans of soup canned tuna fish peanut butter Tuna Helper medium boxes of cereal

Please place your donations in the basket located inside the church foyer.

Church Weed Pulling / Spruce Up Party with Lunch Saturday, July 16

At 8:30 to noon, Saturday, July 16, the Outreach Committee and Trustees are sponsoring an all-church weed pulling and spruce up party. Another good intergenerational opportunity to have fun to-gether at the same time that we are fulfilling a much-needed task for our church grounds and building. There is a job for every age level and interest includ-ing painting the church library, weed pulling, touch up painting inside, washing windows and more!

Coffee and snacks will be provided in the morn-ing. Then around noon all will share a homemade lunch.

For more information see the back cover and con-tact Ardy and Rich Garchow at 253-509-8280 or Lynne Demichele at 253-858-2000.

Game and Pizza Night Thursday, July 14, 6-8pm Fellowship Hall

Thursday, July 14, Outreach Committee is spon-soring another Game & Pizza Night from 6 - 8 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone who attended in May had such fun. What a joy to hear so many laughs and see so many smiles across the church wide range of ages in our congregation and among visitors. The committee will again furnish the pizzas, drinks, salad, and paper goods. Please bring a dessert and a game you would like to share. Contact Rich Gar-chow for questions at 253-509-8280.

All Church Potluck Sunday, July 31 at Noon Fellowship Hall

Time again for the ever popular Methodist All

Church Potluck in Fellowship Hall, Sunday, July 31,

at noon following 2nd service. Everyone is to bring

something to contribute to the meal. The Outreach

Committee and Coffee Hour coordinator will furnish

the paper goods and drinks. Bring your food to the

kitchen anytime in the morning. A committee mem-

ber will be there to receive it. This will be another

chance to visit with Pastor Molly and with each

other. Contact Rich Garchow for questions at 253-

509-8280.

Farewell To Pastor Jim and Family On Sunday, June 26th, the GHUMC said good-

bye to our friend and pastor, Jim Head-Corliss. Sun-day morning was a special time with a sweet presen-tation made by our children, along with their laying of hands to pray over Jim.

Jim, Sandra, Maya, and Kellen came to this place nine years ago. We wish Pastor Jim and his family well and will continue to hold them in our hearts and prayers. You will be missed.

July Celebrations Anniversaries

Birthdays

If your birthday or anniversary does not appear on this list, it is likely that you have never provided us with those dates. We want to celebrate your special days so please contact the church office with those dates!

July Office Closure: The church office will be closed on Monday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. All regularly scheduled ac-

tivities will take place unless otherwise noted.

PNW Summer Camps Summer Camp registration is open!

A camp experience can be one of the most power-ful and formative times in one’s life. Camp can often be the first opportunity for kids and youth to de-velop their “unique voice” that will serve them throughout their lives. Discovering leadership po-tential, experiencing an intentional Christian com-munity, discovering the outdoors, building self-esteem, and strengthening personal faith is all cen-tral to what the camp experience is all about. Plus, it’s just plain FUN! To learn more or to register visit http://pnwcamps.org/ PS. Camp isn’t just for kids… so check it out!

Photo and graphics taken from the PNW camping website at pnwcamps.org

GATES, Tim & Amy 07/14

BOWER, Arlo & Marilyn 07/17

ANDREWS, Glen & Jeannie 07/26

BARTLETT, Julie & Gordy 07/29

BROWN, Ritchard 07/02

BEYERS, Phil 07/04

HEAD, William 07/04

MARTIN, Julie 07/06

GRANLUND, Barbara 07/07

WEST, Ivey 07/07

DEWALT, Ashley 07/09

COLGLAZIER, Marjorie 07/10

REID, Judith 07/10

REINHARDT, Jane Ritchie 07/11

RIGGINS, Blanche 07/12

GARCHOW, Richard 07/13

EEK, Ryan 07/14

JEWELL, John 07/14

MAGNUSON, Dennis 07/14

PETERSON, Frank 07/16

RASMUSSEN, Joanna 07/16

LONG, Julia 07/19

JOHN, Linda 07/21

TOBEY, Jason 07/25

MARTIN, Wayne 07/27

MILLER, Cherie 07/29

MCCRORY, Jeff 07/31

GHUMC Health Corner Elaine Odom, Parish Nurse Office Hours by appointment.

253-851-2625 or parishnurse@ghumc.org

From We to Me Widows Group There will be a gathering of the "From We to Me"

widows coffee group at Kimball Espresso in Gig Harbor on July 27. The group meets regularly on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 10:30-11:30am.

All recent widows or those ladies who’s partners died in the past are invited. This group is open to the public. We can learn from and support each other. If you have questions contact the church office or Elaine Odom.

GIG HARBOR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Ph: 253-851-2625 Fax: 253-851-3382

www.ghumc.org officemanager@ghumc.org Church office hours: M—F, 9am– Noon, 1-4:00pm

Rev. Molly Fraser: pastormollyfraser@ghumc.org

Sunday Worship Contemporary Worship at 9:00am Traditional Worship at 11:00am

Christian Education

Christian Education for All Ages from 10-10:50am Nursery care available throughout the morning

The Tidings is a publication of Gig Harbor UMC Editor: Deborah Rosenbaum, Office Manager Submission Deadline: 15th of each month

Email submissions to officemanager@ghumc.org

Please email officemanager@ghumc.org if you would like to receive future issues of The Tidings, your monthly church newsletter, as a PDF file by email, instead of by US Mail.

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #6

Gig Harbor WA 98335

Gig Harbor United Methodist Church

7400 Pioneer Way

Gig Harbor WA 98335

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

___________________________