Battle Ground Community UMC
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
July 2020
  We are people of faith who gather to worship and love God,
care for one another, and share God’s compassion with the world.
Pastor's Pondering
PHASE 1. PHASE 2.  
PHASE 3.  PHASE 4.  PHASE 4+

To My Dear Sisters and Brothers:

We have now been shut-in for more than 100 days, and it doesn’t look like life will return to “normal” for quite some time.  We have just been told by our District Superintendent that we are OK to move into Phase 2. However, phase 1 and phase 2 look exactly the same for us.  

A Reopening Task Force created a plan for us to lift the restrictions around the Corona Virus as we move through each stage.  So that we all know what we can do and when, I have attached a chart that spells out when and how we can come together again.  I’m also attaching the narrative we created if you want more specifics.

I recognize that we all yearn to be together again.  It’s hard.  But many in our congregation are defined as vulnerable and we LOVE OUR PEOPLE.  For that reason, the plan is somewhat conservative in reopening.  We hope that you will follow all these guidelines as we move from one phase to the next.

I know that this time can be especially hard for some.  Others are welcoming the peace and solitude.  These are strange times indeed.  I hope you get involved in as many Zoom opportunities as you can.  I realize that seeing one another on the screen is far from ideal, but at least it is one thing that can keep us somewhat connected.  For those of you who don’t zoom, I pray that you find ways to stay connected with your church family.

Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Susan

There's a time to tear down and a time to build
Greater Northwest Area of the
United Methodist Church

This LINK offers a list of resources regarding race relations in America. Bishop Stanovsky encourages everyone to review these resources and educate yourselves and one another about how we dismantle racism.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RESOURCE LIST:
The Social Justice arm of the United Methodist Church is a division called "Church and Society." Here is a brief overview of their mission:

The General Board of Church and Society is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. The board is called to seek the implementation of the Social Principles and other policy statements of the General Conference on Christian social concerns. Led by the General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, Church and Society works to fulfill the mandate of: 

  • relating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Church, communities,
and the world in which they live,
  • bringing the whole of human life into conformity with the will of God,
  • and showing that reconciliation involves personal, social and civic righteousness.

Addressing more than 30 social issues on which The United Methodist Church has claimed a position, Church and Society communicates with policymakers and leaders around the world with the mission of transforming the world.
GET INVOLVED!

During this tumultuous time, the church has a responsibility to respond the the injustice everywhere and do the work of pursuing peace. BGCUMC will be working alongside "Church and Society" to strive toward a better world. Not only in our nation, but right here in Battle Ground. If you want to be a part of this powerful voice in the UMC, contact Pastor Susan at pastor.boegli@gmail.com. You may also learn more by going to their website at this address:
How We Worship
WHAT'S NEXT FOR WORSHIP?

In the social climate we find ourselves in today, I find myself struggling with recognizing our baptismal vows and addressing how we might fulfill those vows. Because scripture deals with human issues, it is by nature "political." If you think my sermons this summer sound political, they will be. But I will do everything in my power to draw from the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, put my biases aside, and search the scriptures for guidance in how we respond to the weighty issues challenging those baptismal vows.

Politics:
The way that people living in groups make decisions. 
Making agreements between people so that they can live together.

Partisanship
Prejudice in favor of a particular cause; bias.
How We Learn
"WHITE FRAGILITY"

We will begin studying the challenging read that Bishop Stanovsky implores her flock to read. Pastor Susan has ordered 10 copies for church people and they are now in! Pick up your copy at the church office, for $10.00 each. We plan on beginning our discussions with the Introduction and Chapter 1 on July 8th during our Wednesday at 5:30 pm book group. You can download an e-book now or reserve your copy at church.

ALL ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE DIALOGUE.
Les Miserables

Interested in plowing through this hearty, powerful classic about God and human nature? We hope to begin a book study where we share our thought via email and sometimes zoom if the group desires. We will read about 10 pages a day so it will be a very, very long book study. BUT WHAT A CHALLENGE! To join, contact Pastor Susan.
How We Can Help
SILENT FACEBOOK AUCTION

Since we were unable to hold our annual fundraiser for the Food Bank, we decided to continue our efforts by auctioning off the donated items that were supposed to be for the silent auction during the event.

“Stay tuned for more on our virtual silent auction
coming up in mid-July.” 
Family Promise Host Week

Our Family Promise host week is from July 12 through July 19 . At present, three families are enrolled, for a total of nine people:

Sancha (mom)
Children: Angelica (16), Priscilla (15), Rocky (4)
Milk Preference: Almond Milk
Tamera (mom)
Child: Jeremiah (8)
*allergic to pork and shellfish*
Milk Preference: Dairy

Fane and Odin (mom and dad)
Child: Ember (2)
Allergic to dairy, wheat, gluten, nuts and carrots

There are two ways you can volunteer virtually. First, we are collecting donations to cover the cost of food which the family will purchase and prepare at the motel where they're staying. Please make your check out to BGCUMC and specify "Family Promise." Secondly, in an attempt not to lose the hospitality component, we'll be collecting personal cards and notes in which you can introduce yourselves and welcome each family to our host week. Small gifts such as home baked goods or activities will be delivered along with the notes. You can drop off your cards and gifts in the bin outside the church door. Thanks so much!

Jean Brown
360-904-1822

Dear Family Promise Friends and Partners:
Even though we are in difficult times we are still providing the quality of service that our guests have come to expect from Family Promise of Clark County.  Our staff and volunteers have come up with innovative approaches to serve our families. Their efforts and success are to be applauded. Just this last week we were able to celebrate with one of our families as they received the keys to their new apartment! What an exciting time for this mother and her children.

EXCELLENT JOB PEOPLE!

Over 216 POUNDS IN JUNE
and $ $1,190.00 in monetary funds!

For every $1.00, the North County Food Bank can purchase $10.00 worth of food at the Vancouver Food Bank!! So, that means your dollar is worth TEN TIMES the amount!! Monetary donations are very valuable!

At this time, the Food Bank would actually prefer monetary donations as opposed to food donations (however, food is still welcome!). Please send your checks to the church, with "Food Bank" on the memo line; that way we can keep track of our monetary donations for Outreach.

COME FILL UP THE FOOD BANK WAGON.
 Nancy makes the drop off every Friday morning, or sooner if needed.
LOOKING TO SERVE THIS CHURCH SPECIFICALLY?

Jill, Jake and Vicki have been doing a stellar job on keeping the grass mowed and keeping ahead of the lawn weeds. But if you too would like to help, there's always weeding the beds, edging (you'd have to bring your own edger) and anything else you notice that needs attention. A huge thanks to Jill, Jake and Vicki! And thanks to you in advance for choosing to care for this church in this way.
How We Pray
Would you like to be part of the Prayer Chain? Contact Pastor Susan at  pastor.boegli@gmail.com  if you want to be added to those who regularly pray for those in the congregation and beyond.

We gather for weekly prayer on Tuesdays at 11:00 am . If you would like to Zoom in, contact Pastor Susan and she will send you an invite.
Money Information
SOME GOOD NEWS FROM
THE FINANCE TEAM

In March, the Northwest United Methodist Foundation, who holds our mortgage, gave us three months of interest-only payments while we get through the Covid-crisis. We applied for another 3 months of interest-only payments and they have again approved our application. This helps us get through some unexpected financial challenges during this time.
Just because we're not gathering, 
doesn't mean we don't need your offering to pay our bills. 

The Facts
As a new month begins, you should be aware that the average offering per month is $16,363. If we continue to receive that monthly offering, our finances won't be affected and we won't have to make any cuts at this time. Please keep this reality in mind as you fulfill your pledge, or make an unpledged offering.

You can easily help by tithing on-line: 
Simply click on the church website, click "MORE" and then select "On-line tithing" then, follow the steps from there. It's safe and easy!


OR
Mail in your offering to: 10300 NE 199th Street, Battle Ground WA 98604

OR
You can set up with your bank an Auto Check service where your bank would regularly send the church your offering.
There is no extra charge to do this.

Administrative Information

The Administrative Council met on June 16th to review and approve the 2020-21 budget, to share the re-opening plan for our church during this Covid crisis and an update on the Habitat for Humanity purchase of our back 5 acres. (See below)

Click HERE to read the
minutes from the AD Council
Meeting on June 16th
DISAPPOINTING NEWS REGARDING
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

THE TRUSTEE’S REPORT DURING AD COUNCIL:

1.       Habitat for Humanity has rescinded their offer to buy the back acreage due to the conclusion of the environmental survey.  Basically, too many wetlands exist for them to make it possible to complete as many houses as they had planned.  They paid the church $5000 in earnest money which the church does not need to pay back.
2.       Head Start wants to buy their property and some additional property since they foresee expansion in the future.
3.       Currently with the research that Jens and the Trustees have done, it appears that there could be 3-4 houses in 1-acre plots on the back acreage.  The Trustees will work with a developer/engineer to sell the property.
4.       John Epler made a motion that the $5000 earnest money be paid towards the mortgage.  Sally May seconded the motion and all present voted yea.  Motion passed.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
JULY BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATIONS!

July 3 - Becky Roberts
July 4 - Jens Metzger
July 10 - Tyler Morrison
July 10 - Janet Schoessler
July 12 - Lynette Sargent
July 15 - Angel Von Kaenel
July 19 - Kenny Wilson
July 22 - Rose Anderson
July 23 - Jude Baumgardner
July 24 - John schulling
July 25 - Darrell Johnson
July 27 - John Gingery
July 27 - Lynda Johnson
July 28 - Laura Root
July 28 - Kira Wilson
JULY ANNIVERSARIES:

July 8 - Stan & Wendy Rice
July 30 - Flo Graham
July 31 - Jake & Vicki Swalling


Don't see your birthday here?
Make sure to let us know when it is so we can celebrate YOU!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE!

It's with great joy that Jill Duncan announces the engagement of her daughter Jessi Nicole Duncan to Jason Crosland. Jessi attended BGUMCC in her younger years and was baptized in this church. She is the granddaughter of Vicki and Jake Swalling. The couple will be married in Burley, Idaho September 26th, 2020. The bride is employed as a 6th grade teacher in a local elementary school and the groom is employed with Idaho Milk, an interstate milk hauling company. Jessi grew up in Battle Ground and accepted an athletic scholarship (softball) to Southern Idaho College in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from SI and accepted a softball scholarship to Oregon Technical, Klamath Falls, Oregon, where she graduated with a BA in psychology. She returned to Idaho after graduation and met Jason while playing softball. 
More Information About Us
UPDATED WEBSITE FOR OUR CHURCH

We are hoping to launch our new website sometime in July. The web address will stay the same, but we are revamping and updating all our information that goes out into the cyber world. STAY TUNED!
Pastor Susan has a blog.

You can read it at - recovingpastor.blogspot.com 
Click Here for Facebook
Check out our website. We have lots and lots of opportunities for serving
in many different ways.
Pass on the news to your friends.
STILL WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Contact Pastor Susan to share a cup of coffee/tea/whatever and learn more about our amazing faith family.

pastor.boegli@gmail.com

  To all, including those who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination from church or in society, we offer a place of welcome, respect, and love. It is in this spirit that we invite ALL* people to join us
on a journey of faith.

*As a reconciling congregation, ALL people are welcome including people of any race, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith history,
socioeconomic status, physical and mental ability.