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We are so very grateful to our TCCC families and our church members who have been so tremendously supportive of our Playground Fundraising efforts.  We are such a blessed family of parents and congregation that is dedicated to providing the best in care for our Children’s Ministry!  We will have the final tally of donations and total raised after expenses very soon.  It appears that we have surpassed our goal of $15,000, and we have placed the order for the new playground equipment based on the wonderful response we have received.

We send a special thank you to our organizers of the Silent Auction event, and to all of those who have made processing and tracking funds received work smoothly.   We are so very appreciative of everyone’s dedication in making upgrades to our playground possible!

Dear Congregation,

It has been so wonderful working with you all in the food pantry and clothes closet this summer. I’m so thankful for your faith and trust as you extended my position to the end of the year in this interim position. Going into fall I’d love to share a little with you about our current ministry and how I’m seeing God work among us.

In 2009 I set up a meeting with Sterling to ask for a seminary internship. I knew of Tabernacle’s work in the Fan through the food pantry and I felt called to be a part of that. In seminary I had begun to feel a tug towards community focused ministry and I saw how central to Tabernacle that kind of ministry was. To me, Mission is not something that Tabernacle has to seek out, it is part of your DNA as a church. It has been since the church was founded as a ministry to the children in the same neighborhood we are worshipping in and serving in today.  I spent much of my time in 2009 down in the food pantry, learning the ropes from Dick Denzler and researching a new idea centered around hunger ministry in an urban community like ours.

What I came back to this year when I stepped into this interim role was much the same as what I found during my internship- a warm, welcoming place where church members give selflessly to their neighbors through their time, their work, and their hospitality. They greet long-time food pantry patrons as friends. Many of our neighbors come through our doors often and all they know of our church is our food pantry and the love of Christ our volunteers show them.  Wonderful relationships are formed with the folks who come see us monthly. True kingdom work happens every week in our food pantry as we help those struggling to get through a gap. I’d love to tell you story after story of ways we have been blessed on Thursdays when we open our doors to our neighbors and experience community through loving our neighbors and spending time with them. I see the Kingdom of God meeting earth in our neighborhood, welling up around the community that happens on Thursdays. If you are interested in this ministry, I’d love to talk with you about how you can get involved.

Recently, I’ve been meeting with some of you about what the future of hunger ministry at Tabernacle could look like. Later this fall a team of church members and myself will present something to the congregation to consider. I see it as the next logical step for our congregation in hunger ministry. A way to take all the good work that we’ve done and are doing, and going even deeper in relationship with our neighbors and patrons who are experiencing chronic hunger. Many names have been thrown around to describe this next level of hunger ministry. It’s been referred to as a food co-op, a friends and neighbor’s food network, a church and neighbor’s collective among other names. Whatever we may call it, the idea is this: partnering more deeply with our neighbors who are in need and allowing them to take on more responsibility and ownership in the food they receive. By doing so, we are loving our neighbors in the best way that we can and also allowing them to have more of a voice in the food pantry. We have always been advocates for the community in our hunger ministry, but by partnering more closely with neighborhood leaders in a co-op group, we are allowing them to have their own voice as we advocate alongside them.

It works like this:

We create small groups of folks who want to be part of this new ministry, people who maybe attend our food pantry now, live close to our church and meet certain guidelines that allow them to receive food from our food bank and allow each group to work together, to meet together, to make decisions together and to partner with us in distributing food twice a month.

I picture a typical group looking very similar to what you would see on any given Thursday in the community room. Our current volunteers sitting around the room, enjoying conversation with neighbors who have come to receive some food, except our church volunteers are partnered with someone who is there to receive food for a specific role.

Neighbors are taking the lead by checking people in with church members helping, dividing food into bags or boxes alongside other church volunteers, or helping people find what they need in the clothes closet. Another few are just returning from the food bank with to bring back another truckload that will need to be moved into the basement. Everyone would have a role in the group, even if it is just to give a warm welcome on the way in or to hand out cups of coffee. Multiple groups would meet separately as a community to help gather and distribute groceries and build relationships with one another and with those from our church who are serving with them in their group. We would be partnering with our neighbors and sharing not only food with them, but working alongside them shoulder to shoulder to further God’s kingdom.

There are still many small details that we would need to work out if Tabernacle decides to support going in this direction in its ministry to the community, but it’s a beautiful picture of what the next level of hunger ministry and of relationship with our geographical neighbors could look like. It is truly something I think is worth working towards as a church.

 

What does this mean for our current pantry?

Nothing would change initially, as membership in the groups are completely by choice. The pantry will still operate for those who need it just as it does today.  I envision us starting with one group in addition to our current pantry as a trial, and growing more groups from there as more neighbors sign up and church volunteers commit to building relationships with new groups.  As a church we will see how the groups evolve alongside what we currently offer and continually hold our ministry to the test that we are currently using: are we furthering the kingdom of God? And is everyone who is eligible to receive food from us and has a need still able to receive it?

Other examples of this model in other states show that many times people will choose to be part of one of these communities because they want some ownership and control of what they are receiving. These groups are a wonderful way to offer that in partnership with our church. In many other places where communities like this operate, they have to be careful to not grow too fast because of the huge interest they get from their neighbors in these partnership groups.

One of the things Dick Denzler instilled in me as an intern and again when I came back to Tabernacle was that no one in our neighborhood who has a need should ever go hungry. That principle will guide how we pursue this new path together, ensuring that we are not letting anyone go hungry or unclothed as we look at new and different ways of doing things to deepen our relationship with our neighbors.

We will be working closely with the food bank and with our neighbors to make sure everything we do is beneficial for all who are experiencing hunger in our area. The food bank will offer guidance on how and when we can host these groups as we will continue to withdraw food from them.  We would still also meet all emergency one-time food needs from our pantry and clothes closet to be sure that we are doing all we can to serve and love our neighbors. As the church considers whether to pursue this next step in our hunger ministry please prayerfully consider whether this is something you are called to be a part of directly. I’m always available to answer any questions I can or to talk more with you about this idea. I’m excited by how God is moving and working in our church and I’m thankful for your prayers and support as we explore taking this next step in ministry together.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Joel Ingram

Interim Pastor for Hunger Ministry

Our annual church-wide retreat was held September 23-25, 2016 at Camp Alkulana. Seventy TBC members and friends gathered in the mountains for a weekend of retreat, fellowship, and worship. This year our theme was “Hearing God Through the Psalms.” Over the course of the weekend, we listened for God’s voice in the beautiful nature that surrounded us and through the lives of the people we were gathered with. Corey Williams shares some of his thoughts about this year’s retreat.

I found God in the babbles of quiet streams, boxes of crayons & in faces covered in spaghetti sauce. I felt community in the conversations of 8 AM coffee & by campfires complete with glowsticks, marshmallows & a sky full of stars. For those three days, I connected & rekindled friendships with some of the most incredible people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Ever since coming to Tabernacle almost a year ago, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reaching out and connecting with members of the congregation but there was something different at Alkulana. Fuller, more meaningful conversations. Spiritual guidance. Wide-ranging forms of worship. That weekend, I felt God a little bit closer & heard His voice a little bit clearer.

Tabernacle has a beautiful & unique way of finding people where they are on their journeys & creating safe places for those who need it most. And the retreat I was honored to be able to talk to others about what stages they are on their journey. But the part I loved most was seeing other receive things that they needed for their physical & spiritual voyages. Some needed bread, some needed company & encouragement, and some just needed a time to rest. I’m so happy to be a place and experience a time where people got what they needed.

As we go through our lecture this season and walk the road together. I pray that our loaves of bread go unending and our canteens of water remain overflowing. May our salt keep it savor and lanterns remain burning. Thank you all for the laughs, stories & memories created as we walk together to create new roads.

Our Children’s Ministry is growing!! In planning for our fall church activities and the Tabernacle Child Care Center Pre-K class needs, we realized that we needed to reevaluate their space requirements. Both our Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Sunday School class and the TCCC Pre-K class expect an increase in class size. In August the Administrative Board approved a request to update the K-2 Sunday School room so that it can serve the needs of both groups of children, with changes to include:

1. Painting
2. An additional table and chairs to match those used in the Pre-K class
3. New light fixtures
4. A new window air conditioner
5. Creation of a new resource closet to provide the opportunity to organize materials used by our Children’s Ministry team members and TCCC instructors
6. New blinds if needed

We are pleased to announce that we completed the work to prepare this room on time for our 9/6/16 goal! There are many people to thank for many hours of work to make this all possible. Below are some people that we want to extend our sincere gratitude to for their time, effort and other gifts:

• Patrick Braford, who donated paint and crew members’ time to help paint the room
• Kathy Allen and Paul Fernald, who spent plenty of hours painting trim
• Jim and Donna Soyars, who helped empty the K-2 Sunday School room to make the painting easier, prepared a new resource room with shelving, and put up a new 8’ whiteboard
• Catherine Chop, Brittany Kaufman, and Kristen White, who will be teaching in this room on a daily and weekly basis. They spent time talking about each of their ministries and how the Sunday School team and the Pre-K instructors can work together and celebrate what happens in this classroom every week.
• Vincent, who cleaned the floor right on schedule
• Kristen Koger, the Severns children, and Kelley Hurdle, who organized a lot of the Children’s Ministry materials
• Judy Fiske, who helped sort through items in the classroom to determine what was important to keep, and
• Kristen Koger, who coordinated a lot of the workplan tasks!

What was the Pre-K classroom is being transitioned into a Children’s Music activity room. That classroom has been cleaned and different furniture arranged to help our children have a dedicated space for creative time together!

Again, we say a big thank you to everyone who helped make this change for our children possible.  This was a tremendous example of how teamwork can make things happen as we grow. We can’t thank all of you enough for supporting our young ones!!!

Last Sunday,  we began a new Narrative Lectionary season together. The NL is a four-year cycle of scriptural readings. On the Sundays, from September through May each year, the texts follow the sweep of the biblical story, from Creation through the early Christian church.

The texts show the breadth and variety of voices within Scripture. They invite people to hear the stories of our forbearers and, more specifically, to celebrate God’s initiative in their lives.  The theme for the season ahead is “We Make the Road by Walking”.

Where and how do I start?

What a summer full of surprises and meaningful experiences!

This summer was my third summer working and serving with PASSPORT Inc. PASSPORT has a special place in my heart since my first time going there as a camper in 2009, a few months after I came to United States. It was the first time I ever felt I was welcomed by my own peers for who and what I am. Therefore, it is always an honor and a privilege to be a staffer for PASSPORT as I hope to give that same chance to campers I encounter each summer. I worked with the youth the last two summer as a Bible Study Leader and Choice leader. I thought I would be working with youth again this summer but it was not God’s plan. I was offered a Recreation Coordinator position for PASSPORTkids! (3rd – 6th graders). I was very honored and happy but at the same time, I was shocked, scared and nervous because I have never work with kids. Also, it was my first time being a program staff and at kids camp!

However, I believed it was God’s plan therefore I said “YES” to doing ministry alongside sixteen wonderful friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ at PASSPORTkids! From June 6th-July 31st. This summer theme was called “This Wild Life” and our theme verse was John 10:10b(CEV) “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” As a first time program staff, I was very excited to learn how to live this life to the fullest but at the same time very nervous and scared as well as feeling felt out because of missing my family. My whole family went back to our home country the first time in nine years for my brother and more for my parents. Seeing the picture of a huge family reunion made me joyful but not seeing myself in there made me homesick and frustrated. I tried my best not to show my emotion to the team but I am sure there were times that I could not hide it. The first two weeks were a struggle with trying to figure out the rhythm of camp for my position and fighting the feeling of missing family.

Hence, there were times that I cried alone but the team did not know because I hid in my room. I tried my best to put on my smiley face but sometimes, that made it worse. Also, there were times I wondered and questioned God, “Why? What do you really want me to do? I thought you wanted me to be here.” One thing I forgot was that I had to take risks, face challenges and be out of my comfort zone to do God’s work because God is there every step of the way. Nevertheless, one of the Bible Studies was about Moses and how he thought he was not good enough but God sent Aaron to help him. I was reminded that I was not alone and God put sixteen sisters and brothers alongside. Also, seeing the pure joy, laughter and cheering of the children of God after the Rec Party gave me a new strength and hope to keep on going. It felt more like home, a home that is not a house but a home that is a circle built by seventeen young ministers; a home that was filled with happiness, grace and love. Because of that I was reminded and affirmed that I have made the right decision of saying “YES” to serve others while I could have run away and go back to my country with the family. It was a tough decision but the right one because it was God’s plan; I accepted the fact that God put me where I was needed.

Yes, there was peaceful time as well as chaos during camp. However, I experienced the presence of Christ among our team as well as from campers and chaperones. First to the team,

I’m very grateful and thankful:

For a director who led the team with patient and grace.

For an assistant director who was always ready to guide the bible study leaders humbly and others

For a mission coordinator who taught us about different ways of doing mission

For a worship coordinator who led us in worship praising God with lovely voice

For a pastor who delivered God’s messages: told stories calmly and gave comfort to other

For the bible study leaders who guided the campers as they learned about how precious they are to God.

For the summer staff interns who were always willing to assist others above and beyond

Each of these people have served others with love and grace and they truly showed me what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The staffers were very loving, caring, supporting and encouraging. We all made sacrifices one way or another but I thank God that each of us were in a place where we were needed.

Hence, I was given a variety of ways to mister the team, chaperones, kids including those whose first language isn’t English specifically Chin and Karen. I could feel the presence of Christ through the laughter I shared with all the kids. I am unable to describe all. Undeservingly, I got more than I could offer. One of the things I did normally during the day was that I co-led 6th sense with the pastor; 6th sense was a 45 mins specific for 6th graders and those whose last time being at kids camp. First day of 6th sense was swimming at the pool and second day included ice-cream, devotion and water balloons. Out of the many good things that filled me joy, some of the moments I would always remember, because of happiness are:

Campers who mockingly (or could be serious) said as they all giggled, “Sam dah lahni ba (Karen).” during pool time. It translates “Sam is not funny.” My response was “Funny is all I got.” Nevertheless, the joy I saw in their faces was indescribable.

Camper who asked if I know what ADHD is; when I said yes, a camper excitingly said, “I have that. That’s why I’m always energetic and excited.”

Campers who danced theme interpretation to a song called “Do not worry”, a reminder that we are so much worth to a God who makes everything and “Orphans Kingdom”

Camper who never really smiled but after water balloon fight, started smiling the rest of the week. With the help of the pastor during 6th sense, a camper asked “Sam, can I get a hug?” as one hand behind their back hiding a water balloon; I said. “Of course.” and as I was offering a hug, a camper finally used the water balloon and hit me on my back. It was a moment that a camper and I would talk about the rest of the week.

Camper who was very excited and happy to tell me that we both dressed up as cactus or cacti.

The love, grace, support and encouragement that I got from the team throughout the summer and teaching me what it means to be a follower of Christ.

A stranger that I met at a gas station and praying together in the middle of a parking lot. A special camper who played a drum with the worship band as we led worship service and camper gave all that one could give for God. Another special camper who read scripture using electronic device for the voice. I still vividly remember the joy on their faces as they led worship service. They have brought joyful tears to many of us. I was reminded that we are meant to use our gifts and talents for God in the best way we can.

What a life-changing summer in a new way!

At the beginning of camp, I was homesick but now, I am camp-sick because of all the wonderful and amazing ways that I encountered Christ alongside an awesome team. I’ve come to fully understand that ministry is about people and people are the closest thing to God. As a conclusion, I believe that I now have a better understanding of what it means to live my life to the fullest. I don’t think words can fully describe my whole summer experiences. I would like to end this with a question that was used at camp frequently and also that made me really think about my life and faith, “What is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious?”

Grace and Peace,

Samuel Lian