The Circuit Rider

Battle Ground

Community UMC

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

JUNE 2022

 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

Itinerancy.  What’s that about? Many of you are not United Methodists and some of you have only been part of this denomination for a few years, so Itinerancy might be a foreign concept to you.  As an ordained elder in full-connection for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, I made a vow to go where the Bishop wants me to go.  I have little say, but I am guaranteed an appointment (a job), so that’s good.


Itinerancy has a long history for Methodists starting with John Wesley.  He traveled from village to village spreading the Word of God’s Love.  He didn’t stay in a church building like his Anglican brothers and sisters, but found the ‘world to be his parish.’


The sad thing about Itinerancy is that I must leave you.  I have connected with so many of you in significant ways and I grieve the loss of our relationships.  It is frowned upon for pastors to stay in touch with the congregations they have left for at least a year, and as hard as that is, it’s for good reason.  Breaking away from the faith community allows the new pastor to build his/her new relationships with his/her congregation without being in the shadow of the past minister.  I, for one, appreciate this, as I am appointed to a new parish.


The good thing about Itinerancy is that it forces the local church to be Christ-Centered and not Pastor-Centric.  Christ should be the center of a faith community, not the pastor.  When pastors leave every 5 or 7 years, it forces the congregation to be self-reliant without a spiritual leader.  When a congregation can operate in a functional way without a pastor, the community is healthy and not dependent on any one person.  


BGCUMC is a healthy, functional community and you proved it to yourselves when I was on pilgrimage in the fall, and by my father’s bedside in the spring.  I am not in the least worried about the future of this church. There are oodles of new people and I have no doubt that oodles more will come.  The reason?  Because this place, all of you, are awesome!


I will miss you all terribly, but at the same time, I look forward to new challenges, new ministries, new pastoral experiences and new relationships.  And, in one year, I’ll be able to contact you and catch up.  I look forward to that.


Much love and peace to you all today and tomorrow,

Susan

How We Worship

FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

The choir will be gathering on summer Sunday mornings at 9:15. This will give us about 30 minutes to warm up, sing through the hymns, and run through quickly learned, easier music for the anthem and introit slots. For those who like to sing, but haven’t yet ventured to our side of the sanctuary, these weeks would be a wonderful, casual opportunity to test the waters. You might have a great time and decide to stay on when rehearsals resume. We will be thrilled to have you. 

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Please welcome our own Michael Dzwonkowski as our new Sunday A/V booth operator beginning Sunday, May 29th! Michael is taking over for Nancy V. who will no longer be running the booth on Sundays. We thank Michael for being willing to step up to this challenge! Nancy will be adding Fridays to the church office schedule. See the new hours at the end of this newsletter.

ZOOM WORSHIP

If you are unable to get here and would still like to join your church family, click onto the ZOOM link below or the links for each week in "This Week" newsletter.

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We need Sunday Morning Worship Volunteers

Liturgists/Ushers/Acolytes/Altar Flowers


Do you enjoy making worship worshipful? We need folks to sign up as Acolytes, Ushers, Liturgists and florists.

If you feel called to help worship to be wonderful, you can sign up in the church office. All signup sheets are on the counter in a white binder.

How We Serve

TOP NON-PROFITS MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOWARD GUN CONTROL


Here is how YOU can get involved:

 

·        Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

·        Everytown for Gun Safety

·        Brady Campaign: To Prevent Gun Violence

·        Newtown Action Alliance

 

GO TO: Top Non-Profits


Family Promise of Clark County Fundraiser


You are invited

Family Promise of Clark County's Annual Fundraiser

SERVING PROMISE, RAISING HOPE


Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Adventist Community Church

9711 NE St. Johns Rd

Vancouver, WA 98665


Please contact Jean Brown for more information.

360-904-1822

jeanbrown9260@gmail.com



Family Promise Host Week


Continues through June 5th

Watch the Family Promise video: "Addy's Story":

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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

Tuesday, June 14th

12:30 - 5:30 pm

In the sanctuary

"JUST ONE THING"
For houseless youth in Battle Ground
Especially needed are socks, underwear, feminine hygiene products, clothing.

BAGS TO KEEP IN YOUR CAR
FOR THE HOUSELESS

Bring in: Bottled water, pop top canned foods, snack bars, feminine hygiene products, tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, wipes, dog and cat food



QUESTIONS: Contact Doug Shaul (Call church office for contact information)

Thank you for your generosity. Our monthly goal is 125 pounds.

Special needs right now: Eggs, rice, dog food, cat food, water, flour, sugar.
QUESTIONS: Contact Delbert Perkins
How We Fellowship

SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP


We are always looking for people to provide hospitality through food (we are Methodists, after all). If you would enjoy encouraging the congregation to stay and mingle and get to know one another better, then food is the way to go. If you would like to answer this call and host a fellowship Sunday by providing snacks, we would love your help. Sign-up in the church office. All sign-up sheets are in the white binder on the office counter.

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HOLD FAST TO DREAMS CONCERT


All are invited to the Portland Lesbian Choir's June 11 concert, 'Hold Fast To Dreams'. Our own Sara Kurtz sings with the choir, and would love to see some of you there. Tickets are 'pay what you can', with open seating.  

 LINK FOR TICKETS

BOOK GROUP CONTINUES!

All are invited!


June’s book is "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah.  Meeting is Tuesday, June 21st at 5:30pm at Lori Rodriguez' house.  A zoom link will go out that morning.


How We Pray
JOIN THE PRAYER CHAIN
We meet on Mondays at 9:00 am.

Would you like to be part of the Prayer Chain? Contact Nancy in the church office if you would like to be added TO THE EMAIL LIST of those who regularly pray for those in the congregation and beyond.

We have a group who come in on Monday mornings at 9:30 and sit in the sanctuary to lift up all the prayers that have been expressed during the past week. Please feel welcome to join us!

PRAYERS FOR THIS PAST MONTH:



  • Sue Sutton has asked for prayers for herself, her father Dave, and their whole family as they are in the midst of care-providing for a very long and stressful time. 
  • Sally—son Rob and granddaughter Elena, and Spokane courts.
  • Ezra—family of Naomi Judd.
  • All who are struggling with mental illness.
  • Dave L.—school secretary’s daughter died, a former student.
  • Nancy M.—Wendi had another seizure.
  • Deb—citizens of Russia protesting the war, Ukrainian citizens.
  • Goss family and all experiencing loss and are grieving.
  • Rose—grandson’s wife died.
  • Eric Fultz - My husband Robert Gumm. He is struggling with some health issues and needs grace to help him through. Prayers for his Healthcare team that they find the right medication for him. And, our Uncle Jimmy Reidel who starts chemo today for bladder cancer.
  • The Shauls – great grandson Lennon, who has Covid.
  • Rose – grandson’s wife, Karen, had successful breast cancer surgery – prayers for healing.
  • A smooth and positive transition for Pastor Susan and Ken as they move to Tacoma Mason UMC.
  • Prayers that the new pastor chosen for us is the right choice.
  • Jan P.—Travis
  • Perk—in hospital.
  • Sally—Pat Wood asks for prayers for her friend Thelma.
  • Sara—son-in-law Byron has COVID.
  • Sally—court won’t act until a psychologist is working with Elena.
  • Cece—sister has COVID and is unvaccinated.
  • Jan S.—granddaughter has COVID, great grandson is well.
  • Marliss Higgins day surgery on her heart.
  • Dianne—grandson Callum, in Denmark, has COVID.
  • Liz—husband Jim has surgery Monday.
  • Kathy—those who have mental illness and those affected by shooting in Buffalo.
  • Jeff—mom Alice is not doing well.
  • Margaret—more awareness of mental illness.
  • Ken—reasonable health insurance.
  • Eric—dad Art has dental and other health problems.
  • Del is in the hospital again.
  • Bonnie—fell and broke bones in her feet.
  • Joann—extreme heat in Africa.
  • Citizens of Ukraine.
  • Gun violence victims. All those who lost family and friends in the Robb Elementary shooting in Texas.
  • Remembering those on Memorial Day.
  • Margaret—neighbor Dave died, other neighbor Winnie fell and broke back vertebras.
  • Jeff Lyles heading back to Tennessee, looking forward to the trip, but concerns for his Mom's health.
  • Pat—friend Thelma, longest surviving friend - 82 years - has cancer in brain.
  • Families and victims and families of mass shootings.
  • Nation in distress.
How the church works

Parsonage Plumbing Project

Funding Request


The Trustees Committee has determined that the chronic plumbing woes at the parsonage require immediate attention in the manner of needing to re-pipe the whole house. Temporary fixes are no longer sufficient to make this a comfortable home for our pastor and family. We are asking for congregation donations to help offset this cost, estimated at $36,000. We are funding the repairs from church savings and our Legacy endowment given the urgent nature of needed correction. Monies raised from congregation special giving will be used to reimburse the expense to our endowment fund. Thank you for your consideration.


When making your gift, please designate "Parsonage Plumbing Project".

2022 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Applications Due June 15, 2022


The Men's Group of the Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church is offering scholarships to graduating students who have connection to the church. These scholarships may be used for college, or trade school. If you have questions or want more information, contact Dave Seesholtz, 503-438-8014.


Application Process

  • The application should be prepared in 8 1/2 X 11 format and contain the following information:
  • A certified transcript, which includes your cumulative G.P.A.
  • A statement concerning the school activities in which you have been involved.
  • A statement about your involvement in community and our church activities.
  • The name of the college or trade school that you plan to attend, and the date.
  • A statement about your long-range goals and plan.
  • Please sign and date the application.


The Battle Ground Community United Methodist Scholarship Committee will keep all your information in strict confidence.

Submit your application to the church secretary by June 15, 2022.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Birthdays

June 5—Patrick Brown

June 5 - Jan Shaul

June 11 - Milo Miles

June 14 - Erma Kelley

June 17 - Fred Volgamore

June 22 - Teri Schubitzke

June 24 - Adam Von Kaenel

June 27 - Ben Metzger

June 29 - Dianne Earnest

June 30 - Sue Sutton


Anniversaries

June 1- Clint Granato & Maili Morrison

June 11 - John & Dianne Earnest

June 24 - Wayne & Sue Sutton

June 28 - Ken & Susan Boegli

 

More Information About Us
Pastor Susan has a blog.
You can read it at - http://www.therecoveringpastor.com
Click Here for Facebook
Visit our website
 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.

Battle Ground Community UMC

10300 NE 199th Street

Battle Ground, WA 98604


360-687-2542

www.battlegroundumc.com

battlegroundumchurch@gmail.com


Office Hours:

M, T, Th, F: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Church Secretary: Nancy Volgamore