Newsletter December 2014 A monthly publication of Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Advent Comes to Adult Ed ADVENT REDUX: re-dux: brought back; revived Join us for four Sundays of discovering the dimensions of hope through a variety of lenses. November 30: Hope through forgiveness and grief in the studies of educational psychologists Robert Enright and Mary Hansen, and theologians Nicholas Wolterstorff and Glenn Davidson December 7: Hope through the music of the soul, by exploring the theological, historical, and pastoral implications of the Scriptures that make up Handel's Messiah. December 14: Hope through the eye of scientist John Polkinghorne, in his book Living With Hope:A Scientist Looks at Advent, Christmas & Epiphany. His work is summarized, In these refreshingly unconventional meditations, scientist John Polkinghorne connects the perspectives of science and religion in honest and thoughtful reflections for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Giving new meaning to the penitence of Advent and the hope of the Christian faith, he considers God's ultimate purposes along with scientific knowledge of the fate of the universe. December 21: Hope through art and architecture and a DVD tour to Paris to visit the Gothic cathedral Ste. Chappelle. Its magnificence resides primarily in its 6,458 square feet of stained glass windows, surrounded by delicate painted stonework. The windows are in deep reds and blues, and illustrate 1,130 figures from the Bible. Hope restored, awakened, revealed, rebornвЂ¦вЂ¦the subject of our time together on Advent Sundays at 10:45, taught by Rev. Shirley Funk. BUILDING & GROUNDS Your Building and Grounds Committee has been hard at work this year. Here is Catherine Michel's report from the church service on Sunday November 9th. I have been a member of Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church for over 30 years, through many different situations - in my life and in the life of our congregation. I care greatly about this place and I am very happy to be a part of what feels to me like its awakening from hibernation. I feel a great sense of optimism and confidence among our Congregation members. From a Building and Grounds perspective, we have the responsibility of caring for a facility of approximately 42,000 sq. ft. - about the size of 18 average BI homes - on 5 1/2 acres, including 90,000 sq. ft. of parking lot. We care for this huge infrastructure with one custodian, and a group of dedicated volunteers including the Tuesday morning men's group, the B&G committee, and members of the congregation, as well as growing list of local contractors - see the list on the hall bulletin board. In our church, maintenance and capital improvements require ongoing funding as well as volunteered time. The B&G committee realizes how important it is to leverage our money and make it go a long way. In the past year we have; through both creative problem solving and about 60 hours of volunteered time each week by church members and friends. Also, some local contractors have given of their time. For example, the contractor who was hired to remove two diseased trees came back the following day with a shipping container sized truck and loaded it full of yard waste from our property. When asked how much we owed him for that service he said, "Well, God doesn't invoice me so I won't invoice you". One of many timely blessings! And there have been many this year...... What I really want you to know is that while some improvements and repairs are seen, there are also many things that are unseen. Examples in the SEEN category are: вЂў new carpet in all of the most-used areas of our facility вЂў a newly furnished small group meeting room - the Centennial Room вЂў new window treatment, art, and fireplace insert in the Fireside Room вЂў freshly sealed and striped parking lots вЂў a garden patio in progress вЂў sanctuary light fixture continued next page Poinsettia Sale Starts November 30th Each Christmas season RBPC offers a poinsettia sale to help beautify the sanctuary and raise funds to support our Souper Suppers ministry. Please stop by the deacon's table in the Narthex before of after service November 30th, December 7th or 14th and order your flowers in memory or honor of someone you love. The cost is $15/plant and you may take home following Christmas service or donate for delivery to folks who could use a little extra cheer! For more information, please contact Gregg Adkins at 206-780-2161. But it's that UNSEEN category which contains a lot of the unglamorous but essential ongoing maintenance of our facilities: вЂў a pull down stair to access the furnaces above the Narthex вЂў a new storm drain system beneath the back yard вЂў trees and shrubs pruned вЂў grounds weeded вЂў three huge underground hornets' nests - gone вЂў window with broken seals - replaced вЂў tuned up lawnmowers, repaired furniture, organized storage spaces, вЂў fixed doors, moved cabinets, painted walls, cleared sidewalks Things look like they have always been that way but only because of UNSEEN efforts Looking ahead to 2015 - Some things included in the B&G proposed budget: вЂў better directional signage вЂў improved handrails and ADA access to our building вЂў roof repairs вЂў painting of at least the South side of our buildings вЂў applying for a PSE grant to improve our lighting efficiency I feel a growing enthusiasm and energy among our Congregation. Thank you all for the support you give our church. I think we are on a roll - interesting and amazing things are happening - let's keep up the good work! God has indeed blessed us! Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 The Giving Tree Please join us in the spirit of Christmas by donating a gift to those in need, distribution of these gifts will be under the auspices of Helpline House. Food : Gifts of food (or money for food) support the food bank. 1) Donating money for food is an even greater assit to the helpline Food Bank, for each dollar received, Helpline can buy $3.00 worth of food. 2) Canned or packaged food items can be deposited in a box near the Giving Tree. Presents: Gifts for children support the Helpline Holiday Shop 1) Take a tag from the tree with a gift idea written on the back, purchase the gift. 2) Return it unwrapped with a tag attached. 3) Place gift in the basket under the table. If you have any questions, call Deacons Joyce Lauritsen (phone 206-780-2520), cell(206-412-2429) or Judy Sircoloumb (Phone 206-7801429). Youth Group DonвЂ™t Forget: *Sign for the Rolling Bay Youth Group Facebook; Jim sends out weekly devotionals, inspired by Georgia! Dear Youth and Parents, Okay, Important Stuff happening!!!! 1. ANNUAL YOUTH AND PARENT CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE WELLMANвЂ™S HOUSE Youth Group 6th-12th Grade: 5:00 вЂ“ 7:30; COME AND ONE AND ALL. 8527 Hansen Rd. BI. Cell Jimbo 206 920-0032 2. Our Annual Youth Retreat is January 23-25: Island Lake -Ropes Course -Amazing food-Motocross Bike Course-Paint Ball! Jim Wellman, Youth Director If you have questions or want to help out contact: -Cost: $130, but scholarships are available, talk to Jimbo; jwellman@uw.edu; 206 920 0032!!! Call or TEXT me! Jim Wellman, youth director by email, jwellman@u.washington.edu, or by cell, 206 920-0032, -Friends are EXPECTED SO INVITE THEM, GREAT BONDING TIME вЂ“ PUT or Christine Brevick, Youth Volunteer Coordinator, THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR DONвЂ™T MISS IT!!!!! christine@rbpres.org, and at church, 842-3098. 3. We have replaced our old furniture (which we found to be quite dirty when we moved it to put in the new carpet!!!!!) This is due to the generosity of one of our church members!!!! Thank you very much!!!!! COME AND SEE THE NEW COOL STUFF!!!! 4. YOUTH WORKCAMP 2015!!! Cle Elum, Wa. June 26th- July 1st, 2015, Junior & Senior HighAges 12+. The total payment per youth is ONLY $300 total this year; please give Jimbo or Christine a registration check made out to Rolling Bay Youth Mission to secure your spot! Scholarships are available, see Jimbo! BTW, WE WILL ONLY TRAVEL BY VANS THIS TIME!!!! We will be doing home repair this year but for a shorter time span, giving kids who have trouble getting away a better chance to go. The last two days of the trip we will to Lake Chelan to play, swim, ski, maybe a houseboat and maybe a little white water rafting! We will be serving at the foot of Snoqualmie Pass, and bounded by national forest, Cle Elum is a cool escape for many in the summertime. Gentle breezes sing through pine-scented forests. Clear mountain streams teem with trout. And picturesque totem poles punctuate the landscape. continued next page Youth Schedule Just a few miles from the school, the nearby town of Roslyn is where the TV series вЂњNorthern ExposureвЂќ was once filmed. ItвЂ™s all thereвЂ” The Brick and all! But the situation is vastly different in the winter. Harsh mountain winds drive heavy Northwest snows against inadequate housing stock. The timber, mining, and tourism industries lag behind the economic recoveryвЂ”and many families struggle to make ends meet. You might meet someone like Amber. Her son JosephвЂ™s father disappeared soon after he was born. She is struggling to raise Joseph alone, while holding down a low-paying job and attending classes at the local community college. After the mortgage, food, and medical care for Joseph, there is nothing left for home maintenance. Paint peels. There are broken floorboards on her front porch. -11.30 Sunday Night Youth Group 7th-12th Grade: 6:00-7:30 Youth Group Reunion: Former Youth, Georgia and others are coming, come, celebrate, and share!! -12.5-6 Help with Bethlehem Experience 6:00-8:30pm! Sign up and have a blast!!! -12.7: Sunday: Bremerton Foodline: 11:30am to 3:30pm. Meet at church at 11:30 am! We will bring our Xmas gifts!1600 12th St, Bremerton, WA 98337. -12.14 ANNUAL YOUTH AND PARENT CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE WELLMANвЂ™S HOUSE Youth Group 6th-12th Grade: 5:00 вЂ“ 7:30pm. COME AND ONE AND ALL. 8527 Hansen Rd. BI. Cell Jimbo 206 920-0032 -12.21 NO Sunday Night Youth Group 7th-12th Grade -12.28 NO Sunday Night Youth Group 7th-12th Grade -1.4: NO Sunday Night Youth Group 7th -12th Grade You can be a breath of fresh air in this beautiful mountain town this summer. Come to Cle Elum and change lives. -1.11: Sunday: Youth Group (7th вЂ“ 12th grade) 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Guest Program Leader: Christine Rolfes will speak, she is our Washington State Senator for the 23rd Legislative District. God bless each one of you!!! -1.18: Sunday: Youth Group (7th вЂ“ 12th grade) 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Finals Preparation Sunday: Good food, good study and good Fellowship. Bethlehem Experience Welcoming Our New Members It is time to rejoice and enjoy our Christmas gift to our community! On Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6 from 6-8:30 p.m. our church will once again present Bethlehem Experience, a drivethrough 1st century village. Visitors from all over the area will come to our church grounds and experience the very first Christmas. Please welcome our new members into the RBPC family! It is not too late to sign up and join the fun! There are still volunteer needs in many areas. Just contact the Bethlehem Experience team at BethlehemExperienceatRBPC@gmail.com and we will help find a spot that is right for you. There is also a signup link on the Bethlehem Experience page of the church web site. Please dress warmly for the event and remember that a light dinner will be provided. In the final days before the event, please help spread the word to family, friends and neighbors. Use the business cards that were distributed and, if you are on social media, post the information (or even a photo of yourself at Bethlehem Experience from last year) and invite friends to come see what it is all about. For many people, the personal touch is key to putting an event on their calendar. And, remember, this is a drive-through event, so visitors can enjoy it from the comfort of their vehicle at their convenience. Doug & Linda Christian, 1816 Eagle harbor Lane NE, Bainbridge island, WA 98110, come t Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church via Letter of Transfer from University City United Church in San Diego, CA, where they were members for over 30 years while raising their family and working. Doug and Linda moved to BI full-time after they retired in 2008, having spent several prior years splitting their time north and south. They keep busy volunteering with their Home OwnerвЂ™s Association and with Island Volunteer Caregivers. They have sung int eh RBPC choir since January 2014. They are enjoying exploring the PNW, and they travel to visit their two grown children and their families in CA several times a year. Peter & Susan Corning, Vineyard Lane, Bainbridge, come to us by Letter of Transfer from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California. They moved from California to San Juan Island, where they owned an organic market farm for ten years. Two years ago, they moved to Bainbridge to be closer to their children and grandchildren, all of whom live in Seattle. Peter is a former college professor and now directs a research institute. Susan is a retired management consultant. Their special interests include hiking, gardening, and a variety of community service endeavors. Ted & Iris Eimon, 9911 NE Knight Road, Bainbridge Island, were both born and raised in Japan as missionary kids, attended college in the U.S., then worked in Hawaii and Miami before moving back to Japan for work. They lived in California for 20+ years before moving to Bainbridge in 2012. They have three sons in college: Two in California and one in Boston. Gwen Gray, 23486 Heathrow Pl NW, Poulsbo, WA comes to us by Letter of Transfer from Mountain View Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, AZ. Gwen is married to her high school sweetheart Don, both from Canada, and they have two sons, Scott and Brent as we as two daughter-in-law, Kasey and Eleanor. To round out the family they are grandparents to Dylan, Avery and Reese. GwenвЂ™s spare time is spent with her family, trying her hand at watercolor painting and being an active member of the Girl Scouts. Gary & Jackie Harrington, P.O. Box 10555, Bainbridge Island, moved to Winslow in 2012 to be near family (3 grandchildren) after retiring from jobs in Monterey County California. Gary worked in soils testing and Jackie was a resource specialist for the Monterey County Visually-Impaired Program. They have 2 daughters; Alisa of Salina, California and Amy of Bainbridge island, living for a few years in Honolulu, Hawaii. Granddaughter Madison attends college in Tacoma, Washington and grandchildren Annika and Quinn live in Honolulu, Hawaii. The dog, Amber, runs the household. Besides walking the dog, Jackie likes culinary arts, sewing, and visiting with family and friends, and Gary likes sports and gardening. They previously attended Presbyterian churches in Monterey County, California. Stewardship Notes Session Highlights Our annual pledge drive is in full swing now, and we thank all of you who have already made your pledges to help sustain the church financially in 2015! But Christian stewardship also demands that we contribute our time an talents as best we are able, and there is no better time of year to observe those contributions than the Christmas season. So we also thank all of you, literally HUNDREDS among our Congregation, who are generously providing your skills and effort to our Advent and Christmas programs including services and music, to our annual Bethlehem Experience celebration, to the missions that will aid the people of our own community and nearby areas, and to all of the "routine" requirements of keeping our facilities and ministries on track. The Stewardship Committee thanks you, and wishes you God's blessings and Merry Christmas! Highlighted below are items of interest coming out of the October and November Session meetings. вЂў Session voted in nine new members to Rolling Bay membership. Members were presented to the congregation on November 16. вЂў Community and Spiritual Formation Committee reported that $653 was raised at the Crop Walk. Also reported that the Interfaith Council Annual Thanksgiving worship service will be hosted by Rolling Bay on Tuesday, November 25. вЂў Missions Committee stated the fundraising goal for the Merida Mission Trip was met. Six or more will be traveling to Mexico, but 12 to 14 is an ideal number to participate in this trip. вЂў The Finance Committee stated that though donations are down a little, underspending by committees has allowed us to keep on track for staying within budget. вЂў The Congregational Life Committee introduced a new ministry for members of our congregation undergoing a significant life change. A candle, along with 30 days of Scripture readings, will be presented to the affected individual or family to affirm our churchвЂ™s support during their trying times. CHURCH FINANCES THROUGH OCTOBER The finance committee would like to thank all of you for keeping your pledges up to date. Below is our current income and expenses through October along with the anticipated amounts at this point in the year followed by the annual budgeted amount. Actual Income $386,037 Anticipated Income $411, 196 2014 Pledged Income $493,435 Actual Expenses $388,925 Estimated Expenses $402, 460 2014 Budgeted Expenses $486,319 Thank you again for continuing your pledges and giving to Rolling Bay. May God bless you as the New Year comes upon us. Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church PO Box 131 Rolling Bay, WA 98061 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 7:00 & 10:00 pm Traditional Christmas Music Non-Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Bainbridge Island, WA Bulk Permit #5876