1

The Link An Open and Affirming Community of Faith

February 2011 Reverend Dr. Tom Thresher, Pastor

Welcome Carol Elliott — a New Church Member I was born in Orange, New Jersey, but my family returned to the Seattle area where our roots are. My husband, Doug, and I met as students at the University of Washington. We then moved to Texas and California before returning here. We have three

children and five grandchildren. In Texas I taught Mexican children in the second grade, and was an art spe-

cialist in California. I was happiest as a reporter for the Fullerton Observer and also as a graphic artist with the City of Anaheim. I have long been interested in painting and have belonged to several groups, including one on Bainbridge Island.

I‟m delighted to join this church with its broad view of tradition, and ideas for the future, particularly the inner journey in meditation. Most of all I like the circular tables where, after church, I can enjoy sustained conversations with many different people.

I was a Unitarian for years but got interested in yoga meditation. I discovered there was more to all of us than just our intellects. My current interest is Focusing, a technique often done with a partner, that helps clarify challenges and concerns.

I want to be useful to the church in some way. I would like to talk this over with someone who could point me in the right direction.

Carol Elliott

Continued on page 3

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Coffee Hour

If you cannot serve on the assigned Sunday, call

someone else on the list and switch with them.

Current directories are available at the church office by request and online at: www.suquamishucc.org.

“The Link” is the official publication of the Suquamish Community Congregational United Church of Christ, Kitsap County. The newsletter is produced and managed by members of the Suquamish Church and is published monthly. The newsletter is intended as a voice of the congregation and welcomes viewpoints from our congregation, as well as the community. Therefore, viewpoints expressed are not necessarily those of the Suquamish Community Congregational United Church of Christ membership.

Submissions to the newsletter are encouraged in electronic format to our e-mail address office@suquamishucc.org or via mail to Suquamish UCC Attn: Link Editor, PO Box 318 Suquamish WA, 98392

Church Phone: 360-598-4434 E-mail: office@suquamishucc.org Minister: Reverend Tom Thresher PHD, 360-990-5649 Editor: Aiya Maston 360-860-1235 Copy Editor: Catherine Exton Contributors: Charlene Snyder, Tom Thresher, Hilda Maston, Sue Mangold

February 9 Bev Staaden

598-4335

Kathy Dickerson

297-4588

February 16 Jen Edmonson

697-3388

Ann DeFord

297-2338

February 23 Ginelle Todd

598-3549

Claudia Fogle

297-3906

February 30 Adele Bergerson

779-7724

Susan Hancock

297-2247

Serving at Coffee Hour is a great way to get to know people!

It involves bringing a treat that you have made or bought and arranging it on a table, pouring coffee after church, and cleaning up afterward. The rotation comes up about once a quarter.

3

I worked hard to earn my title (Mrs.) and in my twilight

years I never get to hear it. I no longer get the satisfaction of

being addressed as a grown-up person.

Our whole society has stopped using titles of address! The

kids call their teachers by their first names. (Can you imagine what would have hap-

pened to us had we tried that?) The minister is no longer Reverend but Bob or Sally or

Joe. The doctor who worked long and hard to earn that title gets called by his first name

or the overly friendly “Doc.”

I am just one person but I can see what this is doing to my dignity. Here is what

happened to me in just one day.

At 9 a.m. I am on my way to the grocery store. So far, so good. The checker

doesn‟t know my first name so I get “ma‟amed.” That‟s O.K. with me. Next stop, the

Post Office. The clerk glances at the return address on my package and says, “Here‟s

your change, Hilda, have a nice day.” This is from a young man who doesn‟t know me

from Adam (or Eve, for that matter).

Off to the bank. I ask the teller to cash a check and give me a ten and two fives.

“Of course, Hilda, here you are.” I had been to the bank only a few times and didn‟t

know the teller but she called me by my first name!

Next stop, the doctor‟s office where the nurse said, “Step up on the scales,

“Hilda.” Again, I have seen the nurse once or twice, but didn‟t even dream we were on a

first name basis.

By the time I got to the pharmacy I‟d just

about had it. The pharmacist joined the rest of the

world by asking if “Hilda” had any questions. See

what I mean?

Even a person as elevated as a judge gets

called by her first name. You‟ve heard of “Judge

Judy” haven‟t you?

Now don‟t get me wrong, I‟m as friendly as the next old lady, but there is friendly and there is famil-iar, and familiar means I get no respect. Don‟t you agree? Mary? Joan? Tom? Bob? George?

Senior Slant by Hilda Maston

An Untitled Person

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Are we missing your birthday? Please let us know!

Call the church office 598-4434 or email: office@suquamishucc.org

February 1 Amanda McNeil

February 8 Todd Durboraw

February 15 Doug Daman

February 19 Megan Nightingale

February 21 Savannah Olson

February 26 Virginia Mulder

Phyllis Lucille Rogers Hart December 25, 1922 to January 8, 2011 Phyllis Lucille Rogers Hart, 88, died on January 8, 2011 in Poulsbo, WA. Phyllis was born on December 25, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, to John and Effie (Kosh) Rogers. She graduated from Brooklyn High in Brooklyn and went on to graduate from Willimantic State College in Connecticut, receiv-ing a degree in Elementary Teaching. Phyllis taught 5th and 6th grade for over 20 years before retiring. She was a member of Eastern Star, Bainbridge Senior Center, and Suquamish United Church. Phyllis enjoyed reading, knitting, fishing, and tennis. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Robert (Bob) Hart. She is survived by her son, John Hart; brother, John Rogers; sister, Rita Bulford; grandchil-dren; Tyler Hart and Melanie Buehler, and one great-grandchild.

In Memoriam

Happy Happy Happy

February

February February

Birthday!

Birthday!

Birthday!

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Transitions

and Celebrations Transitions and Celebrations … a place to share our life transitions and celebrations ... If you would like to be included, please call the church office at 598-4434.

Suquamish Community

Congregational United Church of Christ

Called to Care Ministries

(360) 598-4434

————————————————————————————————————-

Alan Chessman Cathy Cuenin Bev Staaden Charlene Snyder Sally Comfort Mel Haug Laura Spray Aiya Maston Rev. Tom Thresher, PHD

Sally Comfort Barbara Dean at Martha & Mary Gary Hunt Helga Husby Virginia Johnson Hilda Maston Patty Pickard, Lynnwood Jonni Ulmer Dick and Betty West, Olympia

Welcome and Blessings to all our new members!

Prayers of healing, support and encouragement for: • Suzanne Perry's mom, Jean Walker, and prayers for Suzanne as she cares for her mom, • Betty Chessman's mom, Marion, recovering from hip surgery, and prayers for Betty, Alan and family as they care for her, • Julie Scott, struggling with pain and health issues, and • Linda Gunby, recovering from surgery.

Prayers of encouragement and support for those struggling with employment and financial issues.

Prayers of support and encouragement for: Jennifer Kolln and children as they struggle with life changes, and Bev Staaden, Harvey and Judy Kolln as they support Jennifer and children in their journey.

Prayers of love, comfort and encouragement for those grieving the loss of: Phyllis Hart Marlene Curnow

Prayers of healing for those who have lost some of their physical abilities, and prayers of encouragement for those adjusting to new ways of coping and dealing with daily living:

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By Sue Mangold, Christian Education Director

Hello everyone,

This new year promises to be filled with many changes, if January is any indication! Unfortunately, changes are often tough, but Frank Iuro reminded us in his sermon that our perspective makes a huge difference. If we just take the time to step in a different direction, we can see things in a whole new perspective. One good change made here at the church is the new sliding door in the hallway for the upstairs Sunday school room. Thank you Loren and Alan! They came up with an excellent way to lock the stairway. Now the classroom can be cleaned up and I know that everything will be left in place. Another wonderful change is the youth group participation! Twenty- four people from the congregation went bowling on January 22nd after hav-ing sandwiches and treats at the church. Whole families hit the bowling alley together. What a great group! I'm thrilled to be a part of a place where our young people can enjoy being themselves among friends and family. Thank you Kelly, for all the work you do and all the inspiration you bring! The next youth gathering is planned for Sunday, February 27th after church. As details are finalized, Kelly will email youth and families. Speaking of change, February‟s Change for Change will go to the local agency, "Stand Up For Kids," that helps provide basic needs for homeless teens. May the changes in your life be embraced, knowing God is always with you.

Love Sue

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2011 January Semi-Annual Meeting

(A Summary by Kathy Haug)

Our semi-annual meeting for January 2011 was held on Sunday, January 30, with 44 members present. We were also honored by the presence of Conference Minister Mike Denton and his wife Lauren Cannon (who is interim associate minister at Plymouth Congregational Church). Following the call to order and opening prayer, Ed Evans presented a resolution that Peninsula UCC become formally affiliated with Suquamish UCC. Peninsula UCC is a community of religious seekers that has been engaged in forming a new United Church of Christ congregation to provide a much needed UCC Christ presence and religious voice on the North Olympic Peninsula. Since June 2009 they have been meeting once a month for food, fellowship, worship, and communion in members‟ homes. Beginning in February, they will be gathering twice a month. Our vote to affirm this resolution was unanimous. In the Pastor‟s Report, Tom spoke of the energy in our church, which is reflected in the proportion of people who have a sense of deep connection and ownership. In these days of rising secularism and declining church involvement, our thriving church is a significant achievement. It can readily be seen in what is happening here – Community Kitchen, Called to Care, Rummage Sale, Green and Global Holiday Faire, Christmas Bazaar, Holiday Baskets, Transformational Prayer, TAGS, the Saturday evening services, regular sermons by congregation members, and so much more. He said how very proud he is of this church and what we are creating together. He‟s looking forward to another great year together. These sentiments were reflected in the Church Administrator‟s report. Aiya Maston coordi-nated the congregation‟s summer of ministering to each other, and then smoothly transitioned back to Tom. She led the creation of the church Yearbook, which was presented online as well as in hard-copy. She worked with all three boards, facilitating and participating in their efforts, and connect-ing people to those who have the needed skills and desires. The Clerk‟s Report noted the loss of two members – one by death and one by resignation from the rolls – and the addition of 12 new members. The new members are: Art Carpenter, Carol Elliott, Alan and Sue Hanson, Amanda and Bryan McNeil, Rhonda Neumann, Amy and Stephen Nolet, Melissa Page, Azariah Robinson, and Bill Sipple. Welcome! As of December 31, 2010, our membership totaled 136 people. Stephanie Bento reported on the Board of Administration activities. These include establishment of a Constitution Change Committee, development of a formalized Nominating Proce-dure, updating the signing of confidentiality agreements by board members and others, review of policies, creation of a busi-ness card for the church, regular updating and expansion of the church website. Kathy Haug presented a summary of church website use. The total number of “unique visitors” to the website each month increased from 270 in July to 527 in December 2010. Top-visited pages each month included the Calendar, Yearbook, Worship Services, What We Believe, FAQs, and Open & Affirming pages. Laura Spray reported on activities of the Diaconate Board. This included their role in worship services on Sundays as well as establishment of the new alternative services on Saturday Members Claudia Fogle, Cindy Cure,

and Aiya Maston

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evenings. Christian Education activities include Pastor Tom‟s class on “Putting on the Mind of Christ.” Called to Care and Hospitality programs, including the Holiday Baskets, are active. A highlight of the Christian Education report by Sue Mangold was the purchase of a new curriculum for Sunday School from the Progressive Christianity Organization, using generous donations from the congregation. Another highlight is the youth group headed by Kelly Raber; more than 20 young people participated in their recent Rock „n Bowl. Allie Barbosa reported on the tremendous growth and suc-cesses of the Suquamish Community Kitchen. Since its beginning in May 2009, when it offered one dinner per month, it is now offering free dinners to the community on four Wednesdays each month. The Kitchen averages 70 guests per dinner, with our highest attendance of 103 at Thanksgiving. Many individuals and groups participate in cooking and serving. The largest financial supporter is Grace Episcopal Church of Bainbridge Island; their support enabled us to purchase two new double-oven stoves. Loren Gerhard and Claudia Fogle reported on activities of the Board of Trustees, including facilities maintenance, purchase of new vacuums and wireless microphones, efforts to improve security, Personnel Council activities, financial work, and development of the proposed budget for 2011. Claudia Fogle presented the reports on our financial status and the Proposed budget for 2011. The budget for 2010 called for $143,205 in income and $143,405 in expenses, for a net deficit of $200. The actual income was $131,879 and expenses were $133,128, for a net deficit of $1,253. For 2011, the proposed budget is $139,180, with expenses of $139,180. This budget was unanimously approved by congregational vote. Claudia also presented the balances in our checking and investment accounts and in our special accounts. She also reported on the donations our church made through our Change For Change and Special Collections. We recognized an outgoing leader, James Naismith, who served on the Board of Administration. The following slate of proposed leaders was presented:

Board of Administration: Stephanie Bento, Sally Comfort, Cindy Cure, Kathy Haug, Julie Scott Diaconate Board: Glynis Burns, Mel Haug, Elaine Pajari, Suzanne Perry, Laura Spray Board of Trustees: Sally Bukowski, Doug Daman, Mary Eisenhardt, Claudia Fogle, Loren Gerhard

This slate was approved by unanimous vote of the congregation. Pastor Tom gave a closing prayer, and the meeting was adjourned.

Members Mel Haug, Marilyn Karr, and Alan Chessman

There once was a man named Jesus

Who did not come here to please us

He preached far and wide

Took truth in his stride

And still brings us down on our kneeses

Kathy Haug

Catherine Exton

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Inside this issue: Coffee Hour 2 Senior Slant 3 Transitions 5 Kids ‘n Youth 6 Calendar 9

Suquamish United Church of Christ

18732 Division Ave. NE Suquamish, WA 98392

Newsletter Deadline February 23

or by arrangement

Sunday services : 10 am

Sunday School for kids

and Youth group begins

in worship.

Nursery available for pre-school age children.

Coffee and conversation

after the service.

Please Join us!