12/28/2012

GROUNDWORKS SUNDAY THIS WEEK

Bingo, food, gifts: we will party with the seniors at the Langdon & Anne Simons Senior Apartments this Sunday. It just so happens that fifth Sundays coincide with a time when these neighbors run low on food and cash; our regular Groundworks events make a big difference when we show up with food! Our partners from Catholic Community Services have provided "Shoe Boxes of Joy" which other volunteers stuffed and wrapped. We have the privilege of handing them out during and after the bingo game! Details: 

  • 11:45am we gather at New Horizons, head down Third 
  • 12pm we arrive and meet seniors at Simons 
  • Bring snacks, food, miscellaneous gifts 
  • by 1:30pm we will likely be finished
Men, women, children - let's show some love!




COSTUMES BOOST XMAS EVE PAGEANT




Many thanks to the grownups (Angie, Linda, Teresa), and kids who worked on masks and costumes; those of us who gathered Christmas Eve enjoyed the boost to our annual Nativity Pageant!

12/18/2012

CHRISTMAS EVE - NATIVITY PAGEANT 7PM

Instead of gathering for worship this Sunday, December 23rd, we will wait and return to New Horizons Monday evening, December 24 for our annual Christmas Eve Nativity Pageant! Join us at 7pm for reading, reenactment, and carols.

12/06/2012

FOSTER ADOPTION FOLLOW-UP

Back on Sunday, November 4, some members of our church, along with some special guests, provided great testimony to the purpose and power of foster care and foster adoption. Here are ways of supporting children, parents, and families involved in foster adoption:
The following non-profits have helped one of our church families directly. All continue to support them, with the exception of Childhaven (girls left for NW Center's program in April). The girls are currently supported by Treehouse and the CASA (noted above) program also.

11/28/2012

SMALL GROUPS, BIG IMPACT

Small Groups can have a big impact!
This month the Crown Hill Group served dinner with New Horizons and the Belltown Group sorted HUNDREDS of pairs of shoes with Redeeming Soles. FEW HOURS X FEW PEOPLE X FEW TIMES A YEAR X FAITH = BLESSINGS
Crown Hill group serves dinner with New Horizons Ministries
Belltown Group sorted HUNDREDS of pairs of shoes with Reedeming Soles

11/20/2012

MAYOR MCGINN WANTS YOUR FOOD


Not for himself, but for local food banks. Mayor McGinn called on Seattle residents to donate food, money and volunteer time to local food banks, facing the double whammy of increasing numbers of clients and declining food donations.  “As families and individuals struggle to make ends meet in a difficult economy, we want to make sure that no one goes hungry in Seattle.” According to the Seattle Food Committee, in the last five years, Seattle food banks have seen a
25 percent rise in the number of clients coming to them for help. At the same time a recent report on hunger and homelessness by the U.S. Conference of Mayors shows a 31 percent decline in the amount of food donations in the area.


Taken from November 19, 2012 issue of THE READER, published by the Mayor's office

11/03/2012

COUNTING THE COST OF SERVING

Jesus calls us to serve. Elder Rennie Araucto spoke from the head and heart about serving a few Sundays ago. Much of what you see on Emmaus Road's calendar includes service opportunities. As a church, we serve! But at what cost? A thoughtful blog post, Counting the Cost of Serving the Under-served, by fellow CRC church planter Mark Hilbelink in Austin, TX, presents caution and hope.

10/25/2012

DESSERT EXTRAVANGANZA - FOOD WANTED!

Next Friday, November 2, is New Horizons' annual fundraiser, the Dessert Extravaganza. Emmaus Road can help by providing one dessert and one savory item. This is the traditional expectation of every volunteer Food Group.


What we need:

  • one volunteer to bake/cook/buy a dessert 
  • one volunteer to bake/cook/buy a savory item 
  • one volunteer to deliver said items to University Presbyterian next Friday afternoon (or to New Horizons Thursday)
  • or one ambitious person to do all of the above on behalf of all of us 

Because plenty of brownies and Caprese salads have been pledged already, we have been asked to forego contributing more of those particular items. Suggestion: little pies (sweet) and vegetable/meat skewers (savory).

ATTRACT OR RELATE: WHY CHOOSE?

Is Emmaus Road an "attractional" church or a "relational" church? Hopefully we are attractively relational. In our local denominational Cluster of Christian Reformed Churches, Emmaus Road is one among several congregations who operate out of both paradigms - I would argue simultaneously -  though each church may slant more in one direction than another. What do these terms mean, and does one of them describe us more than the other? Read more

10/11/2012

WELCOME RUBY LUCIA

Praise God for another little one!
Welcome Ruby Lucia, 
born Tuesday October 9, 2012 to Dave, Jessie, 
and big brother Jasper.

10/04/2012

FALL FELLOWSHIP FEAST - SALADS WANTED

This Sunday, we will be moving swiftly from song and prayer to fellowship and feast. We want your salads and desserts! Erin Fullner is organizing our FALL FELLOWSHIP FEAST potluck this Sunday (October 7), bringing several crockpots of turkey chili (see her eVite and Emmaus Road's FB page).

9/21/2012

GROUNDWORKS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30

Groundworks Sundays are...

  • one of the ways Emmaus Road lives out her calling to care for "the widows and orphans" in our context 
  • an important way to establish a helpful presence in our neighborhood of gathering 
  • an opportunity to build relationships outside the typical Sunday morning atmosphere 
  • a good, local introduction to service and mission for kids 
  • a concrete way to demonstrate God's love to neighbors ​
Sign up for one of the crews and projects below; let us serve TOGETHER! 

  • Painting or cleaning Belltown P Patch Cottage - Elizabeth Campbell 
  • Clean the Streets - David Anema 
  • Simons Seniors - cleaning, bingo - Kristen VanderLinden, Eric Likkel 
  • New Horizons - Biff Gaitan

CROWN HILL GROUP LAUNCH 2012/13 SEASON

Crown Hill Group - first meeting of 2012/13 season. Kids really liked gospel lection, especially Mark 9:36-37





9/07/2012

CLEAN HEART, DIRTY HANDS

First Hill Group serving dinner Sept5 at New Horizons
One sign of a clean heart is the willingness to have dirty hands - from serving, that is. Did you witness Fred and Pastor Eric talking this past Sunday? During their public conversation about Jesus' teaching, we were reminded how it is not what goes into your mouth that makes you clean, nor how often you wash your hands, but what comes out of your mouth, and your heart (Mark 7). Accompanying Jesus' words was a word from James about keeping a rein on our tongues, AND how God values the religion of those who "look after orphans and widows in their distress". Does this describe us? At least to some degree, whenever we join the ministry of New Horizons, serving street-involved youth, and when we partner with Catholic Community Services, helping formerly homeless seniors at Simon's Senior Apartments. Look ahead to Sunday, September 30, and value the opportunities God gives us to dirty our hands, clean our hearts, and help look after the orphans and widows in our local context.

7/24/2012

GROUNDWORKS SUNDAY!

Bingo and cleaning at Simons Senior Apartments,
projects at New Horizons,
rooftop gardening or P Patch painting with Sustainable Belltown

Altogether = another 5th Sunday of tactile service in Belltown!

  • Arrive at New Horizons as per usual, 10:30am
  • Volunteer for an hour or two
  • Enjoy fellowship while serving together
  • Consume lunch around Noon
  • Return August 5 for regular worship




CONGRATULATIONS CANDIDO & ANNA-MARIE!

We celebrate the arrival of 
Daniel Doane Friedlander Chainus, 
born Friday July 20!


Join us Sunday August 26 after worship 
for a baby shower at New Horizons.



7/11/2012

PERSEVERANCE IN NIGERIA

As we continue to support our sister Asabe in Nigeria, it is helpful to know what her world is like. It helps us pray more faithfully, and realize the struggle she and her family face, remaining faithful to Christ in the midst of so much hostility. A recent post on the Christian Reformed Church's denominational news site shares thoughts and feelings from missionaries coping with the same fears and frustrations common to the Church in Nigeria today.



6/22/2012

VIOLENCE INTENSIFIES IN NIGERIA

As we pray for our sister Asabe in Nigeria, here is an urgent prayer request that concerns all of us:
(Update from Wendy Hammond, CRWRC) "For the last six months Boko Haram terrorists have attacked churches in Nigeria with car bombs, smaller explosive devices and gunfire. The attacks have intensified this month with multiple attacks on three consecutive Sundays. Reprisal attacks by Christian youths against Muslims have also intensified and created a volatile situation in the country. Boko Haram is threatening more attacks this weekend. Please continue to pray for peace in Nigeria and protection for its people, including CRC personnel serving there."

6/08/2012

DR. TEK & THE PREACH'R @ STREET BEAN JUNE15

We made noise last Saturday for New Horizons' WALK; next Friday we AMP UP THE BEAN. It is not a fundraiser, just a great time to make melodic beats and hang out with friends and family in a non-alcohol dominated space in Belltown.... which is unique. 


June 15, 7-9:30pm, Street Bean Espresso





5/25/2012

WALK & BLOCK PARTY SATURDAY JUNE 2nd

Can you WALK? Here is a way to use those mobility skills for good: every year, New Horizons hosts a fundraiser called the WALK. It is an enjoyable journey from the New Horizons Ministries center down and back through Olympic Sculpture and Myrtle Edwards parks, raising money to support the ministry of serving street-involved youth. Following the actual walk, a block party with bbq, prizes, and live music - Emmaus Road's own Dr. Tek & Preach'r with special guests - will cap off a great event. New Horizons' goal is $50k this year. The walk begins around 10:30am; food and music will continue until around 1:30pm. Information for registration is here.


4/26/2012

GROUNDWORKS SUNDAY THIS WEEK

April 29 is a fifth Sunday; once again it is GROUNDWORKS SUNDAY, when we role up our sleeves and connect with neighbors and partners in Belltown, laying the groundwork of relationships through service. We will gather at New Horizons at 10:30AM, then disperse by 10:45AM to participate in Church Beyond the Building for an hour or two!

Here are the places and organizations with whom we will serve:
  • Simon Senior Apartments  - Bingo Tournament w/snacks & prizes (kids needed!!); individual apartment cleaning (joint ministry of Plymouth Housing/Catholic Community Services); on Third between Blanchard/Lenora; Pastor Eric & Deacon Kristen lead
  • Centennial Apartments Rooftop Garden - tilling soil on community garden two blocks away on Third & Fourth Ave (project coordinated by Sustainable Belltown); Elder David leads

Which project would you like to pursue? Feel free to comment/sign-up, or ask questions.....



EASTER - GREAT WORSHIP, GREAT FOOD

We enjoyed another great Easter Celebration a few Sundays ago! With a turnout of 84 folks, we had a full room of fellowship and food. Thank you Cynthia, for coordinating our brunch, and thanks to all who prepared our delicious fare!

4/06/2012

EASTER BRUNCH APRIL 8


Let us enjoy an ALL AGES service of song, story, and testimony, welcome a new member into the church, recall our own "washing of rebirth and renewal," and follow in the steps of the Resurrected Lord. Then we eat!

Want to share in the potluck?
Here is how we do it:
Cynthia brings a couple of hams for the whole church. The rest of us who are able bring egg casseroles, potato dishes, vegetable dishes, fruit, baked goods, and other delicious items. Cynthia and Cornell prepare food in the kitchen during worship.
Label your dish with the temperature it needs to bake and for how long!
After the benediction, we move the chairs, reset the tables, and the brunch line begins!
What are you going to bring?
Feel free to share in the comments below!



3/14/2012

ST. PAT'S AT LINDA BISHOP'S THIS SATURDAY!!


As a child, he was captured and enslaved by wild Irish folk. He escaped and returned home. As an adult, he returned to the land of his captors as a Christian missionary. This Saturday, March 17, don some green and celebrate Saint Patrick's life of faith by eating and drinking together at Linda Bishop's house!
2-10PM
MAP
Brad will be grilling hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, sausage, and SALMON. Guests are encouraged to bring salad, chips, desert, veggies, dip, or anything else you would like to add.

3/01/2012

THEOLOGY PUB - UNIQUE SPACE

After a year of hearing about monthly "Theology Pub" events hosted in Capital Hill by Simon Cunningham, pastor of Roots, I finally attended one in February, along with two other Emmaus Road members. This particular event included a lecture connecting the field of epistemology with the study of, and debate around, the rationality of faith. Without getting into details (you can read more here), I recommend future events based on this: it was a great learning event in a very unique social (and spiritual) space. I heard a relevant, substantive presentation, followed by a lively Q&A session among a crowd of some forty Seattleites, including committed atheists, religious believers, and people in between. Together, we considered the ideas presented without indulging in combative, acrimonious squabbling. There was definite disagreement; people had different responses, thoughts, and feelings toward the presentation. For the most part, though, it felt to me like a productive and honest exchange in pursuit of understanding. In cyberspace, people seem quick to insult, dismiss, and stereotype each other over religious disagreements; it was refreshing to enter this alternative space, where face to face, there was more accountability to listen and speak with consideration for the other.

PRAYERS ASKED FOR NIGERIA

This past Sunday, a bomb exploded in a church in Jos, Nigeria, killing eight people. Missionaries and relief workers from the Christian Reformed Church (Emmaus Road's denominational family), ask congregations to pray for peace across Nigeria. Read more

2/28/2012

EMMAUS ROAD IN NEWS

An article in the Christian Reformed Church's denominational magazine, The Banner, highlights Emmaus Road's Groundworks Sundays. The article was posted online in December, 2011, but recently made it into the published printed mailing for March, 2012. Recognize the person in the picture?

2/07/2012

GREAT JANUARY GROUNDWORKS

Our very own Belltown Bingo Snack Masters hosted another tournament at Simon Senior Apartments. In addition to cleaning residences there, another team sorted and cleaned a storage room at Hammond House, a homeless women's shelter. At New Horizons Ministries, several teams cleaned and sorted the kitchen, painted metal work, and installed new curtains. It was a great Groundworks Sunday with a healthy turn out by Emmaus Road.


1/27/2012

GROUNDWORKS SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

We become Church Beyond the Building this Sunday!
Arrive at 10:30am;
serve for a couple hours;
enjoy food and fellowship.

Why do we do this on fifth Sundays? Read more...

Places and Projects


1/14/2012

WELCOME ADRIAN AND MYA

We welcome Adrian Wallace Vander Linden, born to Aaron and Kristen on December 18,
and Mya Rose Lightfeather, born to Robert and Kristin on January 2.
Thank God for healthy babies and parents!
Adrian sleeps.
Mya sleeps.





1/12/2012

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY UPDATE

from Deacon Teresa E.

During the last round of volunteer scheduling, several additional people stepped in to volunteer in the children's programs--thank-you! This is encouraging to see and means that we have enough volunteers to maintain a healthy rotation in each role of Children's ministry (Nursery, Godly Play, and Big Kids Bible Workshop).

Big Kids Bible Workshop will continue to meet on the first and third Sundays, with the exception of this Sunday, January 15; due to teacher schedules and the need for a bit more time to transition new teachers, we must postpone things for a week or two.