Church Mission Study

Congregational Survey for Mission Study
You are invited to complete the survey prepared by the Mission Study Team to help us share “who we are” with prospective pastors.  The survey questions are similar to those addressed in the three congregational gatherings, but we encourage every person to complete the written survey, even those who attended/will attend the three events.  The survey presents an opportunity for those who couldn't attend the congregational gatherings to provide feedback and also gives those who did attend a “second pass” at the questions.  Thank you for your assistance in the pastor transition process. 
The survey is available in hard copy and immediately online.  You are encouraged to use the online version, as it’s easier to take and easier for us to gather and process the results. Here is the link to the online survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J85ZV3Y
 

eNews Sept 12

THANK YOU!!  A HUGE thank you to all who participated in our Fall BBQ and our Mission Fundraiser!!
First, a big thank you to the Connections Team, and all of those who volunteered to setup, cook, bring dishes for the pot luck, and for those who stayed to clean up!! GREATJOB!
And, from the auction side of things, all together we will deposit $5,160 to the Dot Newell Mission Enablement Fund!! This success couldn’t have happened without the help of many volunteers, all of those who donated items for the auction, AND all who made purchases at the fundraiser!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
 
Antioch Church “First Anniversary Service”
Next Sunday afternoon (September 16th), a first anniversary appreciation service will beheld for Brenda and Paul Edwards’ Antioch Church. All are invited to attend. It is to be held at Cherry Hill Baptist Church, 700 22nd Avenue, Seattle at 3:00 pm. If you are able, your attendance would be most welcomed!
Paula and Tom Crawley attended Antioch last Sunday, and report that the service was a wonderful celebration of the anniversary, as well. Pastor Emeritus Rev. Samuel Berry McKinney, of Mt Zion Baptist, gave an outstanding sermon and there was a nice reception after. Paul and Brenda are very appreciative of all of the support and prayers they receive from Southminster....and send their love.
 
PAINTERS NEEDED!  Please sign up in the coffee room for the days you can come and help paint the east side of the church.  Sept 22^nd, 24^th, 25^th and 26th  Also need someone to prepare lunch for the workers on Sat. Mon. and Wed.  Please sign up if you can help.
 
Celebrating Amy
We are having a celebration for Amy after church on September 30th.  Please come celebrate Amy Campbell as we say goodbye and thank her for her three years of service as Director of Ministries to Children, Youth and Families.  We will be having a salad potluck on Sunday, September 30^th right after church.  Please bring your favorite salad to share, desert and drinks provided.
 
Fall in love with Jesus! Join us for Bible Study
This year we will study the book of Matthew, which is one of the most complete stories of Jesus’ life. Find out who He really is and why His life and teaching are the cornerstones of our faith.  Begins Sept. 19, 20 and 23.
 
Witness in Action Update

• Sock it to Homelessness!!   September is the time to bring in white socks for Operation Nightwatch.  For many years SPC has supported this ministry to homeless people.  Clean, dry socks are a Godsend when the cold, damp weather arrives this fall and a simple, but effective way to show God's love.  
• Hospitality House - Walk for the Women September 29th.  You can contribute by walking and taking pledges, helping with the setup or sponsoring a walker.   Every bit of effort and money helps women turn their lives around.  
  A recent helpful aspect is that the Hospitality House website, www.hospitalityhousesouthking.org now has a nice link for online Paypal registration for folks who would like to walk/pay/register. For more info talk to Karen McMichael, Liz Martel or Ina Edmiston.

SLACKERS – Monday, October 15^th 9 am to 3 pm Participate as you can during those hours on the first and third Mondays of each month.
 
HOSPITALITY HOUSE MEALS – Southminster is scheduled to provide dinners to the women at the shelter located at Lake Burien Presby. Church in Burien the week of Oct. 22 – 28.  The warm, home- cooked meals they receive every day of the year provide these women with a feeling of being cared for by the larger community in which they find themselves homeless. I will be happy to answer any questions you have and welcome any who are new to this service.  You will see me with my clipboard after worship services beginning Sept. 29 or you can call me after that date to be first to get your name on my calendar!!       Ina Edmiston
         
Fall in love with Prayer!  October is prayer month.
For the four Sundays in October, the subject of worship will be four aspects of prayer—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.  We will follow up with four classes dealing in more depth with each subject plus practicing each one together and separately. Monday nights at 7, Oct. 8-29 at church.
 
Fall in love with each other! Sign up for a Life Group.
Life Groups are a great way to meet new people and renew friendships. They meet monthly for a pot luck dinner, fellowship and prayer. Sign up for the time of the week that works best for you and the groups will be built around those choices.
 
Fall in love with Our Church! Become a Member in November.
If you have considered becoming a member at Southminster, classes will be held Nov. 4, 11 and 18 after church. There will be a light lunch served.  Here is an opportunity to learn more about our faith, our denomination and our own church body. Led by Pastor Nancy.
        
PC-USA Offers an E-Mail Daily Devotional for September/October
The Presbyterian Church -- USA is offering a daily devotional around the theme A Season of Peace leading up to the Peacemaking Offering to be held on October 7.  If you would like to subscribe to this resource and receive a daily devotional via e-mail, click on this link: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/seasonofpeace/

The Children’s Department has two volunteer jobs available for this school year that do not involve working directly with kids but help support. If you can take on either please contact Jane Davis (alan.jane@goneagain.net)

• Do you shop regularly at Costco?  We need a “snack shopper” 
• Job:  check the supplies in the Sunday School rooms once every other month and replenish as needed (snacks and juice boxes) church will reimburse receipts. 
• Time: 2 hours every other month
• Those terrific “Busy Bags” for children to use during worship service need to be re-filled once per month.
• Job: make copies and do occasional supply shopping  
• Time: 2 hours per month  

R-U on the prayer chain?  If you have not been getting the prayer chain lately, have never been on it and would like to be, or have changed your email address, please let Jan Matsumoto know. Her email is janmatsu@comcast.net  She is also the person to whom your requests can be submitted. She has done this for many years now--THANK YOU JAN!
 
Stewardship Update - Wonderful Congregation here is our current giving report. At the end of August (67% of the year) you have contributed $188,000 to the general fund.  Our budget for the year is $312,000 at $2,000 less than we actually gave last year.  The good news and the bad news . . . Well, the bad news is we are behind last year's giving by $8,000 and rather than at 67% of budget we are at 60%.  The Good News is God is in Control!  He has done mighty things and we pray for more.  Also two years ago we were at this same giving level at the end of August and we ended December at exactly the $312,000 that we have budgeted this year.  Once again we ask for your prayers in leading us to a stellar last third of the year and most of all that we will continue to do only God's work and those things that bring him glory.
 
The Des Monies Area Food Bank (DMAFB) is in need of a few volunteers to drive to multiple locations and pickup food donations on weekdays. The DMAFB needs are for 2 people to make the pickups with the DMAFB provided van. This volunteer job will be 2 to 3 times a week taking about 3 hours a day, and will require lifting up to 25 pounds.
Also if you can lift up to 25 pounds and willing to work on the 3rd Sunday of the month, please contact Donald King for details. Currently have 3 volunteers and looking for few more to spread out the number times I need assistance.

eNews Aug 22

SESSION MEETING – Aug 23 - 7 pm at the church.
 
Wedding – Saturday, August 25^th 6:30 pm Magdalena and Urial (from the Cristo church)
 
Men’s First Tuesday Breakfast – September 4 8am at Des Moines Creek Restaurant.

The outside cross in the courtyard will be painted August 27-29.

Sewing/Craft Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month (Sept. 4) 10 am to 2 pm Bring your current project and join the fun.

 
Choir rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 5^th - 7 pm in the sanctuary.
 
Mission Fundraiser and Fall BBQ, September 9th
SAVE THE DATE and plan to attend!
We are collecting items for our mission auction, and ask for you to consider a donation that will encourage fellowship.  Some starter ideas:  babysitting services, baking or catering services, a special meal prepared in your home, a share of garden bounty, at home game night, local theater outing, housekeeping or organizing services, handy man hours.....be creative and use your special talents!!   We can also sell your unused gift cards...the ones that are cluttering up your wallet or junk drawer...our gift card frenzy will solve your gift card accumulation problem!   AND, if you have a dessert specialty you could donate, we would love to add that to our Dessert Dash! Questions?  Ideas?  Donations?  Please talk to Melody Edmiston or Rob Whitson
 
Bell Choir rehearsals begin on Tuesday, Sept. 11^th at 6:30 pm.
 
Witness in Action Update
·       Sock it to Homelessness!!   September is approaching, so it's time to bring in white socks for Operation Nightwatch.  For many years SPC has supported this ministry to homeless people.  Clean, dry socks are a Godsend when the cold, damp weather arrives this fall and a simple, but effective way to show God's love.  Look for a drop box in early September, but for now, stock up on those socks!
·       Support Hospitality House by participating in their Walk for the Women on September 29th.  You can contribute by walking and taking pledges, helping with the setup or sponsoring a walker.   Every bit of effort and money helps women turn their lives around.  
A recent helpful aspect is that the Hospitality House website,www.hospitalityhousesouthking.org now has a nice link for online Paypal registration for folks who would like to walk/pay/register.  We are now cranking up to try to get maximum participation this year with special emphasis for families and folks with "well behaved" dogs.  For more info talk to Karen McMichael, Liz Martel or Ina Edmiston.
 
SPC loves kids
For the kids at Des Moines Elementary, bring in backpacks, pencils, crayons, filler paper, safety scissors and other "staples" of the school desk during the rest of the summer.  You'll find a list of school supplies and a receptacle in the coffee area.
For the kids at Midway Elementary, we have a request from "Team Midway" (the group of area churches supporting the school) to provide items for hygiene kits. Southminster can be most helpful by providing the following items for hygiene kits.  Look for another receptacle in the coffee area.  Here are the needed items:
Hygiene Kit (put these in a ZipLoc bag or just bring individual items)
1. One bar of soap
2. Soft-bristled tooth brush
3. Toothpaste
4. One pack of bandages
5. Deodorant
         
Sue Warner-Bean is looking for a bowl of sea glass stones that was used for Agape.  If you know where it is, please let her know.

eNews Aug 1

Bean Bagging for the Des Moines Food Bank
It was a beautiful afternoon at the Grande's to gather together to support those in need in our local community.  God smiled on us with lovely sunshine and with many hands we were able to prepare the soup for the Food Bank.  Here is a link to the church website with some pictures from the event.  http://www.spcdesmoines.org/bean-bagging-for-desmoines-foo/  Thanks to all who prepared for this time to gather and to the Grande's for being wonderful hosts.
 
Baptism and Confirmation
Preston (PJ) Miller and Nik Paulson will be baptized in worship THIS SUNDAY (August 5^th.)  They have completed their Confirmation class over the last 3 months and are excited to be welcomed into God’s family here at Southminster.
 

MEN’S FIRST TUESDAY BREAKFAST
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 AT DES MOINES CREEK RESTAURANT 8 AM.
 
Sewing/Craft Club
meets on Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 10 to 2 at the church – bring your project and join the fun.
 
REFLECTIONS FROM YOUTH MISSION TRIP
Plan to stay after worship for a few minutes on Sunday, August 12^th to hear reflections from the youth on their recent mission trip to Vancouver.
 
Annual Youth Camping Trip – August 12-15
At Scenic Beach Park outside of Seabeck, WA on Hood Canal.  Please pray for sunny skies.  For more information, contact Amy Campbell
SPY Youth Camping Needs
The Youth are in need of 2-3 additional camp lanterns for the upcoming Camping trip Aug 12-15.  If you have a light that you can loan the youth for this outing please contact Alan Davis .  You can bring to church on Sunday 12th.  Thanks in advance of letting your light shine with the youth.
 
Sue Warner-Bean is looking for a bowl of sea glass stones that was used for Agape.  If you know where it is, please let her know.
 
KIDS IN WORSHIP
Perhaps you have noticed some of the children participating in giving the Call to Worship on Sunday morning!  If you’d like your child to participate, please contact the church office or Amy Campbell.
 
SPC loves kids
at Des Moines and Midway Elementary Schools
For the kids at Des Moines Elementary, bring in backpacks, pencils, crayons, filler paper, safety scissors and other "staples" of the school desk during the rest of the summer.  You'll find a list of school supplies and a receptacle in the coffee area.
For the kids at Midway Elementary, we have a request from "Team Midway" (the group of area churches supporting the school) to provide items for hygiene kits.  Team Midway has a strategy for school supplies that has already been met.  So Southminster can be most helpful by providing the following items for hygiene kits.  Look for another receptacle in the coffee area.  Here are the needed items:
Hygiene Kit (put these in a ZipLoc bag or just bring individual items)
1. One bar of soap
2. Soft-bristled tooth brush
3. Toothpaste
4. One pack of bandages
5. Deodorant
Let's pray that the summer of 2012 one that our local kids will never forget!
 
MISSION FUNDRAISER
We are now soliciting donations for our Mission Fundraiser, which will be held in conjunction with the Fall BBQ on September 9th!  This is our big fundraiser, which is held every other year. 
Please save the date and plan to attend!
We will have a live auction and a few other fun activities to raise money for Southminster Missions.  If you have something to contribute, please contact Melody Edmiston or Rob Whitson before August 19th.  
Ways to participate
1.   Donate to the Live Auction....suggestions:  hosting a dinner in your home, loaning out a vacation cabin, an afternoon cruise on the Sound....experiences that will encourage community.  Use your imagination!!
2.   Have you been carrying around Gift Cards for a long time??  We are accepting un-used gift cards that may still be hanging around in your wallet, or desk drawer.  If you have any gift cards that have been ‘hard’ for you to spend, consider donating them.  We will be having a gift card frenzy that is sure to be especially lively!!
3.   Consider donating a ‘fancy’ homemade dessert for our “Dessert Dash”...each table will have the opportunity to bid on the dessert selections.  
4.   If you can volunteer to help with the fundraiser or BBQ, please let Rob know.

eNews July 18

SPC making a difference!
Wilson, the school principal in Altagracia, also helps lead the fledgling church in our adopted village. The keyboard he's holding was made possible by Southminster's generous participants in the Alternative Christmas Marketplace.  What a difference this keyboard will make in their worship service!  

Youth Mission in Vancouver July 16 – 21 They are serving and smiling and feeling your prayers!

HOSPITALITY HOUSE NEWS

SPC is scheduled to provide dinner for the women again this week July 23- 29.  We continue to serve 9 women and the staff person.  If this is something you wish to do give me a call.  Ina Edmiston  6

SPAN deadline for the August issue is July 24.

SPC loves kids at Des Moines and Midway Elementary Schools

For many summers SPCers have shown God's Love by providing school supplies for kids from needy families.  This summer your Witness in Action Commission would like to modify our approach a bit.  

For the kids at Des Moines Elementary, it's "business as usual."  Bring in backpacks, pencils, crayons, filler paper, safety scissors and other "staples" of the school desk during the rest of the summer.  You'll find a list of school supplies and a receptacle in the coffee area.

For the kids at Midway Elementary, we have a request from "Team Midway" (the group of area churches supporting the school) to provide items for hygiene kits.  Team Midway has a strategy for school supplies that has already been met.  So Southminster can be most helpful by providing the following items for hygiene kits.  Look for another receptacle in the coffee area.  Here are the needed items:

Hygiene Kit (put these in a ZipLoc bag or just bring individual items)

1. One bar of soap

2. Soft-bristled tooth brush

3. Toothpaste

4. One pack of bandages

Let's pray that the summer of 2012 one that our local kids will never forget!

Feed the Hungry:  Annual "bean bagging" and hot dog event is July 25

Supporting the Des Moines Area Food Bank

Wednesday, July 25 at the Grande's, 707 S 232nd Ct, Des Moines.   Hotdogs, buns and condiments are provided as well as water and lemonade. Please bring a side, salad or dessert for the feast after the bagging. Also bring lots of energy to bag those beans! 

Bagging will start @ 6:00 PM, with the meal to follow once the beans are bagged. Parking is limited, so please carpool if you can.  

This is a great way for SPCers to get together for some summer fun, and, more importantly, feed the hungry as taught in the Scriptures.  

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue,

 but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

MISSION FUNDRAISER

We are now soliciting donations for our Mission Fundraiser, which will be held in conjunction with the Fall BBQ on September 9th!  This is our big fundraiser, which is held every other year. 

Please save the date and plan to attend!

We will have a live auction and a few other fun activities to raise money for Southminster Missions.  If you have something to contribute, please contact Melody Edmiston or Rob Whitson before August 19th.  

Ways to participate

1.   Donate to the Live Auction....suggestions:  hosting a dinner in your home, loaning out a vacation cabin, an afternoon cruise on the Sound....experiences that will encourage community.  Use your imagination!!

2.   Have you been carrying around Gift Cards for a long time??  We are accepting un-used gift cards that may still be hanging around in your wallet, or desk drawer.  If you have any gift cards that have been ‘hard’ for you to spend, consider donating them.  We will be having a gift card frenzy that is sure to be especially lively!!

3.   Consider donating a ‘fancy’ homemade dessert for our “Dessert Dash”...each table will have the opportunity to bid on the dessert selections.  

4.   If you can volunteer to help with the fundraiser or BBQ, please let Rob know.                                          Thank YOU!!!

Church Painting Party

We have scheduled Mon-Wed, September 24^th -26^th, for the next paint a quarter of the Church per year party.  We are planning on painting the east side of the building this year (the biggest side, and the greatest need) and so we will be needing lots of help.  If you can’t make it on Mon-Wed, we will need help on Saturday Sept 22^nd, to pressure wash and prep.  Again, we are taking on quite a large job and so are asking that you consider helping on one or all 4 of those days.  Questions, call Jim Coleman