FINANCE MINISTRY
SPRING CHEESECAKE SOCIAL
Today, May 19, is Pentecost; and the Endowment Committee will be continuing its tradition of having its annual strawberry cheesecake social at the coffee hour after each worship service.
Come, select your dessert, and sit down with friends and enjoy one of springtime’s first fruits.
Endowment funds are used to enhance our church facilities and programs from income earned on the fund. Principal is preserved to assure financial stability.
Have you considered making a contribution or sending a contribution in memory of a loved one?
Your Endowment Committee
ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Ongoing classes for Adults:
· FaithLink: An Adult Education offering built around current events meets each Sunday, at 9:00 am. Some upcoming topics: “The Biblical People of Easter,” “Opening New Doors” and “Violence Against Women Act.” No pre-registration is required. Class leaders: Jean Walker and Joan Ernest.
· Got Questions? The “Living the Questions” series will not meet today due to the “Coal Free PSE” class. We will continue next week at 10 am, in the Wesley Room. Topic for next week is: “Honoring Creation.” Facilitator: Sherrie Mill. Drop-ins welcome.
· Fitness, Faith and Friends resumes Monday, May 20, with a series of summer walks and other activities. Tomorrow we’ll take an easy stroll around the local neighborhood. Join us at 6PM for a brief reflection before we head out for our walk.
MISSION & OUTREACH MINISTRIES
FOOD OF THE MONTH for the Eastside Emergency Feeding Program: Help us celebrate Cinco de Mayo by donating 2 lb. packages of dried pinto beans and/or canned diced tomatoes! Please put all donations in labeled boxes near both entrances. Thanks for helping the Sunday School kids help others!
CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRIES
Book Discussion Group
The Book Discussion Group meets on the third Monday of each month. For the month of May, any Tony Hillerman book is on the list. Anyone who enjoys reading and discussing what they have read is welcome. The next meeting is May 20, at 7:15 pm.
Come Sing With Usat Sunrise Senior Living Center on the 3rd Sunday each month. Trina McCarrell and Nancy Berry lead a brief chapel service which includes some old favorite hymns. Our next service is today, May 19, at 11:00 AM. Sunrise is located at 15928 NE 8th (just past Crossroads Mall).
Special Choir Concert
One of the most well-known and beautiful choral works is Faure’s Requiem, and now you get a chance to hear it. Our Chancel Choir, along with the Lake Washington UMC choir, will be performing it at our church on Saturday, June 8, at 3:00 pm. Besides this wonderful, combined choir, we will have violas, cellos, horns, harp, organ and violin (Takumi is playing!). Mark your calendars now for a beautiful and peaceful afternoon.
Driver Refresher Course
Another Driver Refresher Course will be held at our church on Thursday, June 6, from 9 am – 4 pm. Successful course completion qualifies drivers 55 years of age and over for automobile insurance premium discounts. Check with your insurance agent for the amount and duration of the discount. Cost for the class is $16. To register, phone 206-243-3564.
Can You Help?
An elderly woman, legally blind, who lives near the intersection of 520 and 405, needs someone to drive her twice a month to Wal-Mart to buy groceries. Can you help? Eastside Friends of Seniors will provide you with screening and training, for both your and the elderly client’s safety. Please contact EFS at 425-369-9120 or email info@eastsidefriendsofseniors.org.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Vacation Bible Adventure (VBA): Athens
Monday – Friday, July 15 -19, 9 – 11 a.m.
Learn the jaw-dropping story of the Apostle Paul straight from Paul himself and learn about Athenian life through games, music, crafts, and food. Registration forms on the church website (www.fumcbellevue.org). Invite your friends, grandchildren, neighbors and a couple of people you hardly know! LOADS of volunteers needed, so see Laurie Edwards if you are interested.
VBA (it’s an Adventure NOT a School!) Work Parties
Thursday, May 23 from 9:30 – 11:30 and Tuesday, June 6 from 9:30 – noon
Something for everyone! Loads of painting so wear your grubbies, but we’ll also have some cutting, gluing, labeling, and much more! Coffee, tea and goodies to bribe you, but, honestly, it’s a blast! Come and join the fun!!!!
Sunday School End-of-Year celebration for families and teachers: Sunday, June2 from 4 – 7:30 p.m. at Camp River Ranch in Carnation. Hot dogs and s’mores on the campfire/potluck for the rest. We’ll say goodbye to the Cairds with a campfire treat called “damper” from Australia, have a visit from Cap’n Jenny (a local pirate), and have plenty of time for games, singing, frisbee/soccer, relaxation and fun! RSVP to Laurie Edwards for directions, potluck sign up and information!
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN MINISTRIES
Women’s Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study group will meet on Wednesday, May 22, at 10 am, in the Wesley Room. All women are welcome to join us.
Women’s Retreat – Saturday, June 1, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
All women are invited to a great day of fellowship, as Rev. Dr. Beryl Ingram leads us in “Learning to Trust the Songs in Our Hearts.” Before you come, give some thought to the songs in your heart to share. (i.e. what is the first song you learned? and what songs are always in your memory?) This one-day retreat will be held at our church. Registration is $15/person, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Registrations will be taken after worship on Sundays, May 12, 19 and 26. Childcare will be provided; please bring lunch for your child/children. Questions? Call Mitzi Karg at 425-883-8146.
STAFF PARISH RELATIONS
After many years of blessing FUMC Bellevue with her faithful and beautiful editing of the Clarion, Jody Beyer has resigned. Jody led us through the transition from a monochrome paper-only newsletter to our colorful online edition. She made it look easy to raise three effervescent children and still keep us all up-to-date. Of course she is irreplaceable, and we will miss her terribly in this role. If you appreciate the Clarion, please drop Jody a note letting her know what her work has meant to you.
Change creates new opportunities, and your church staff and the SPRC are considering “what’s next” for maintaining communication within the church. Stay tuned for future developments.
The Members of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Kim, Alice, Marlene, Jeff, Hilary, Judy, Jack, Jean, Susan, Glenda, Trina