Connections
SPRING 2019
Contents 2-3
Staff Updates
4-5
Forming Community Why Did We Renovate the Foyer? By: Neil Trainer
6-7
Transforming Lives The Communion Milestone & Homebound Communion By: Emily Mitchell
8-9
Reforming our World Stories from CUWS By: Drew Hogan, Gretchen Scheumann, Paula Gregersen, Lora Parilla & Mike
Edited By: Brooke Sahlstrom Photos By: Tyson Chaplin, Christi Nixon & Drew Hogan
CALVIN PC
CALVIN PC STAFF UPDATES IN 2019
The Calvin Staff have gone through several changes over this past year. We celebrated 20 years of service from Barbara Rood, who retired as Church Administrator this past fall, but remains involved on the Stewardship Committee. We thanked Karen Kirkman for 19 years of dedication to the children and families worshipping at Calvin Church. We bid adieu to Matt Carpenter and his family, who had built relationships as our Congregational Care Minister over the past few years. Some of these gaps remain as we search for the right person to serve alongside us. Brooke Sahlstrom was promoted from Administrative Assistant to the Director of Administration and Communication just before 2018 ended. She continues attending Calvin Church with Ryan and their 2 kids who often join Brooke in the office! We were pleased to start the new year with Emily Mitchell joining our staff as Associate Pastor. Emily joined us from Ohio, but grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was overjoyed to return! Sadly, we will be saying farewell to Drew Hogan, Youth & Family Associate, on May 22. All of the Calvin Staff anticipate a year full of transformative events that enhance our community and expand upon our mission statement. Thank you for continuing to help us in Forming Community, Transforming Lives, and Reforming our World!
-03
NEIL TRAINER PASTOR
E M I LY M I T C H E L L ASSOCIATE PASTOR
MILAD NAHKLA CAMPUS MINISTER
DREW HOGAN YOUTH ASSOCIATE
CHRISTI NIXON FA C I L I T Y D I R E C T O R
BROOKE SAHLSTROM ADMIN/COMM DIRECTOR
VALERIE GRISSOM MUSIC DIRECTOR
JOHN CLAUS FINANCE COORDINATOR
MAT T CARPENTER
KAREN KIRKMAN
BARBARA ROOD
Why Renovate?
‘The Sanctuary is the heart of our building, but the foyer is the hub.’
Why Renovate?
-Neil
The first followers of Christ worshipped at the Temple, ate together in their homes, enjoyed favor with their community, and watched the Lord add to their fellowship those who were being saved (Acts. 2:4647). Over time, the Church began to build special places to meet, but the underlying purposes for their shared space remained. I’m reminded of that when questioned about why we have spent so much time and money to remodel our foyer. It is to provide access to worship, to facilitate fellowship, and to serve our community. While our sanctuary is the heart of our building, the foyer is the hub. It functions as both a gathering place and a crossroads where people meet and converse, and where paths intersect. Yet, our entryway and foyer were dark, dated, and less-than-welcoming. Lighting was inadequate; space was limited; carpeting was coming apart; and there were few places to gather and sit. Moreover,
-05
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
safety concerns were mounting over possible trips on frayed carpet or falls down overly-steep stairs. In the renovation, stairs were modified to improve safety; railings were replaced; brighter lighting was installed; new carpet was put in; and our aging lift was exchanged with a newer and quieter model. In addition to allowing us better use of our facility to facilitate fellowship, the remodeled foyer lets us better serve the hundreds of guests who pass through our doors each week. We have transformed its appearance by expanding the upper level, changed wall colors and textures, and provided additional seating areas. We’ve also created a new Welcome Center in front of our offices, and provided an area where coffee might be offered on the upper level. All of this will increase our ability show hospitality to those God brings to us.
As construction wraps up and we begin to move into our new space, I want to thank you for your patience over these months. You have remained flexible and positive, and have embraced worshipping in the different space of our Activity Center. I also want to thank you for your participation. Your generous financial gifts are making this possible, and we are trusting that your continued giving will make our Capital Campaign successful. I also want to charge you with remembering what our space is for. It is a gift that we must steward well to Form Community, Transform Lives, and Reform Our World, all to the glory of God! Growing in Christ with you, Neil Trainer Pastor
All Ages Sharing the Lord’s Supper B Y : E M I LY M I T C H E L L
We are committed to partnering with families to raise
to
a generation for Christ, so that we pass on the Christian
instructions about the sacrament. Wherever the table
faith from one generation to the next. As a church, we
is pictured, Erlander’s illustrations include a space with
have created a rhythm through nine rites of passage we
the designation and an arrow: “a place for you.” I loved
call milestones. Milestones are a tangible expression
hearing the Calvin kids turn a new page and exclaim, “I
of someone’s spiritual development and an important
found the place for me!” reiterating the message that
way for us as a church family to honor and make
they belong to the family of God, they are loved, and
commitments with one another.
there is room for them at the table.
One of the milestones at Calvin is communion. This
I gave each child a bookmark that encouraged the kids to
milestone provides a framework for inviting children to
think directionally as they get ready to take communion.
Jesus’ sacred meal through hands-on instruction. I know
Look up – “God loves you so much! Give thanks to God.”
that some parents/guardians wonder if their child is “old
Look back. “Remember that Jesus died. Celebrate that
enough” for communion and the standard to determine
Jesus is alive.” Look around. “God’s family is at the
that is often that the child be able to understand the
table. That includes you!” Look inside. “Are you sorry for
meaning of the sacrament. But communion is mysterious:
your sins? Tell Jesus. He forgives you!” Look forward.
I am 35, and I admit that I still don’t grasp the full meaning
“Now Jesus lives in heaven. One day you will live with
of communion.
him too!”
Nevertheless, I believe it is vitally
coloring
and
personalizing,
gives
accessible
important that we teach children about communion so
On Maundy Thursday, April 18, the children will complete
that it becomes a memorable and meaningful ritual for
this milestone by taking the sacrament with their families
them. In so doing, we help kids grow in their faith and
and the rest of the Calvin church family. Please pray
participate more fully in the life of the church.
for the seven children going through the communion
Therefore, on March 31, I met with 7 elementary-aged
milestone this spring:
children, grades 1 to 5, their parents, and some of the
richer understanding of Jesus’ invitation to his special
worship shepherds. I gave each one their own book: “A
meal and that in response they would be his disciples
Place for You” by Daniel Erlander. This book, conducive
wholeheartedly.
pray that they would gain a
-07
This spring, we are expanding the homebound
communion is the very end when I produce a paper
communion ministry to be more robust and organized.
bag with slips of paper in it. Each paper has a promise
statement
of God contained in the
is “to extend the love of
Scriptures, and they are
Christ and administer Holy
beautiful reminders of God’s
Communion to homebound
faithfulness. The person is
adults affiliated with Calvin
invited to stick their hand
Presbyterian Church.”
Our
into the bag to grab one
purpose is to augment the
slip; they can read it, or the
Deacon Ministry in providing
servers read it over them.
spiritual
Here are two examples of
Our
mission
care,
administration Communion, fellowship
regular of
and to
the promise verses:
Holy church
“Fear not, for I am with you;
members
do not be dismayed,
and frequent attenders of
for I am your God. I will
Calvin who are unable to attend church services for an
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
extended period of time so that the love of Christ will
righteous right hand.
be reflected through the church family.
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your
On March 24, I trained 10 Calvin members in the
right hand and says to you,
homebound communion service ministry bringing
‘Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid.’”
server numbers up to 11, including myself. This past
- Isaiah 41:10, 13-14
Communion Sunday, April 7, the baskets used for
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we
homebound communion were part of the Lord’s Table
are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed
blessed by Pastor Neil. The baskets were a visual cue,
day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are
reminding us that communion is not an individual or
achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs
private act. It is a meal that Jesus wants us to share
them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on
together: we commune with God, through the power
what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what
of the Holy Spirit, and we commune with one another,
is unseen is eternal.”
remembering that Jesus calls us to forgive and love one another as he has for us.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Please be praying for those in the Calvin
We give the homebound adult that Sunday’s bulletin,
community who are lonely, ill, or suffering. Pray that
read that day’s Scripture and offer a brief summary of
they would experience joy and peace in the Lord. If
Pastor Neil’s sermon, invite them to pray with us that
you know of anyone who might be eligible to receive
day’s prayer of confession, and the Lord’s Prayer. The
homebound communion, or, if you are interested in
entire experience is bathed in prayer, and we close by
being trained to serve homebound communion, please
offering them a benediction.
talk to me about this ministry which blesses all—
One of my favorite parts of serving homebound
recipient and server alike.
Stories From the Hill
Stories From the Hill BY: DREW HOGAN , GRE TCHEN SCHEUMANN, PAUL A GREGERSEN, LORA PARILL A & MIKE FROM CUWS
Mike was sitting on a bus when a woman got on and sat
9,000 people. The connections made did not stop there,
across from him. With skeptical eyes she looked at Mike.
however. This discussion time was filled with touching
“Are you homeless?” she accusatorily asked.
stories of pain, trials, joy, and hope that moved us to places
“No, I’m just residentially challenged,” Mike replied.
of compassion many didn’t expect. Though an hour and
“Well why don’t you just get a job? It’s your own fault.”
half was spent, the time together flew, and the team could
Now thinking to himself, ‘this lady just doesn’t know.’ He decided to say something, “Let me ask you, if you lost
have continued sharing stories for hours more. Here were some things the team had to say:
your job today and you had no one to turn to, how long
“What surprised me most was to see there are people, like
would you last before you were homeless?”
Mike, who are homeless who may not have any family to
The conversation seemingly ended.
turn to. If I had lost a parent I know I would have other
The story above is part of Mike’s story. Mike is one of the
family members to turn to. But if what happened to him,
campers with Camp United We Stand (CUWS) that is up
happened to me, I don’t know what I would do.”
on the hill on the south side of Calvin until May 18. These
- Lora
interactions are all too common for many members of the
Following a long career as a fisherman, Mike lost his
homeless population, and it’s a story that has touched me.
mother to a long battle of cancer. Shortly there-after, Mike
It’s
easy
for
us
to
see
homelessness in our area but the
came up to the North Seattle area to
‘I’m just
care for his elderly dad. His father’s
difficult part is we often times
residentially miss the people that are homeless.
girlfriend of 24 years passed away and
Each person has a unique story
cancer. Though Mike was living with
and so for the past month, it has
challenged.’
been my goal to hear, learn, and help share the stories and lives of
-Mike
his father, at 94, was diagnosed with
his father, the house belonged to the family of his father’s girlfriend and they decided to sell the house. Mike found
our new neighbors.
a place to live, but after paying a couple months’ rent, the
A team of members from Calvin, made of Paula Gregersen,
police arrived one day telling the tenants they had to leave
Lora Parrilla, and Gretchen Scheumann, had the opportunity
because the owner had not made any payments. Mike
to sit down with Mike and share stories with one another.
became homeless that day.
After simple introductions, it was quickly found that
“Mike is an intelligent, articulate person, who tries to stay
Gretchen and Mike shared a connection to Sitka, Alaska,
true to a system of values and who would rather work, and
where Gretchen’s husband worked and where Mike was
does work, when he can find it.”
born- mind you, this is a place with a population of under
- Paula
-09
Mike had just returned from working in a garden for a woman
With one month remaining in their stay, we encourage you to
who lives in Green Lake. Gardening is one of his favorite jobs
make it up to the hill and share life with our neighbors. It’s
but following four surgeries on his back and neck his ability to
easy for things to be close, and yet so far. It’s natural to be
work is limited. His only other source of income is his Social
afraid that we may offend a person in different context than
Securities for Disabilities.
ourselves. But if we can acknowledge that we may say all the
“I did not anticipate the positive psychological factors that
wrong things, but also that our heart is coming from a place
might influence a person living at CUWS… I came away not
of compassion and love; talking becomes easier. Mike finished
feeling sorry for him, but admiring his work ethic and his desire
explaining his interaction on the bus.
to make a positive impact on those he shares the camp with.”
They continued down the line and finally came to a stop.
- Gretchen
The woman approached Mike.
Mike has been on disabilities for almost a decade, and explained
Reaching her hand out with fifty dollars,
the struggle of finding a place to live. With a difficult and lengthy
she said, “6 months.
system to navigate in housing, Mike, now a couple weeks away
I’ve never had to think about that before. Thank you.”
from turning 60, has not had luck in the process. He hopes one day to find a place that he can live as the independent person that he is.
How long would you last?
COMING UP...
