eNews June 6

Update on SPC’s Ministry in the Dominican Republic

During the past few months, God has continued to enable Southminster to provide support to our friends in the Dominican Republic. 

Last fall your WIA budget supported a number of needs discerned by the SPC team while on a mission trip to Altagracia last summer:

·      Salary support for Aura, the teacher in Altagracia

·      Playground equipment for children

·      Shoes for children

·      8,000 meals purchased and packaged by our congregation

Then, as part of the Alternative Christmas Marketplace, you provided support to the young church in Altagracia:

·      Bibles

·      A keyboard for music worship

·      Percussion instruments

In recent months, you have supported needs in the Barahona region of the  Dominican  Republic, specifically:

·      Assisting with the medical bills of Malou Faublas, who was the leader in working with Children of the Nations to create a ministry in the DR.  Malou is a wonderful, engaging person who provides strong spiritual leadership for ministry efforts in the Barahona area.  The medical bills were for Malou’s mother, who suffered from poor circulation and had both of her legs amputated.  The cost was $4,000 and an appeal was made to churches who have ministered to people in the DR.  Your WIA Commission decided to send $500 on your behalf toward these medical expenses, along with a healthy dose of prayer.

·      Providing encouragement and financial support to missionaries Vic and Monique Woodward, whom your DR mission team met last summer.  The Woodwards were hosts at the Casa Betesda where COTN Venture Teams stay while in the Barahona area, and the team got to know them well and appreciated their hospitality and spiritual leadership.  Your support will help Vic, Monique and their two daughters, Carly and Ellie (who reside in Friday Harbor) engage in a variety of ministries while spending about a month in the Barahona area.  The Woodwards are grateful for the financial support from Southminster and also covet your prayers for an effective ministry.

Praise to God for enabling our congregation to partner with COTN and the people of the DR to meet these many needs.

Report from Minnesota

Several SPC sleuths have gathered some interesting tidbits from "The Lake" in Minnesota.  Yes, Ben and Mary Jo are safely ensconced in their idyllic cabin on the lake.  Well, maybe it wasn't so idyllic when they arrived -- the heater wasn't working and, uh, it wasn't yet summer on the lake.  A few appliances refused to come out of hibernation, so some repairs were required.  But Ben and Mary Jo report that things are moving in a positive direction and all the repairs will soon be history.  The best thing?  Two bits of very positive news:  their house sale is complete and their grandson, Noah, will be visiting them soon!

The Lindstroms send their love and prayers to everyone at Southminster.

CROP Walk Final Numbers
A big thank you to all who supported Southminster Walkers in CROP Walk this year!  With the other churches, $8470 was raised!  Our Southminster Walkers raised $1845!!
The Des Moines Area Food Bank receives 25% of the money raised, and the rest is used by Church World Service in their
hunger programs around the world.        THANK YOU!!!

Graduation Open House for Kory and Trevor:  Kory is graduating from Mount Rainier High School and Trevor is graduating from Oregon State University.  Join our celebration at an informal Open House at the Hollingsworths.  Saturday, June 9th, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Hand shakes & hugs welcome...no gifts, please.  We will have cards available to write notes on if you wish to offer your congratulations, fond memories, or words of wisdom.  

I would like to thank everyone for their “get-well” thoughts and prayers for my Mother over the past several years.  Carol Elwell’s memorial service 11AM on Monday, June 11, 2012 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (15226 21st Avenue SW Burien) There will be a reception immediately following the service in Unity Place in the basement of the church.  There will not be a graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, P.O. Box 19023, Seattle WA 98109-1023.  Checks may be made payable to SCCA with indication that they are in memory of Carol Elwell.

Thank you for your ongoing support and care.  It means a lot to me, and to our family.          Carrie Elwell

Church Spring Work Party  Saturday June 16^th 9-3

Please plan on joining us as we update the landscaping in front of the Church.  We have had the original landscape plan updated and we need your help in demolition, planting, transplanting, trail building, barking and more.   Not a gardener?  Spring cleaning is also going on in the kitchen, Sanctuary and other spaces inside the church.  Can’t make it all day?  No problem, come for what you are able.  Bring your wheel barrows and shovels.  Lunch will be provided.

Dads & Grads Sunday – June 17^th If you have a SPC graduate, please let the office know so they can be celebrated on June 17^th.

SUMMER BOOK CLUB STARTS JUNE 25

Each year we hold a book club which meets Mondays for eight weeks.

This year we will be studying a book called Reaching Out, by Henri Nouwen.  It traces our spiritual journey through the stages of relationship with first ourselves, then others and finally God.  Nouwen is a wonderfully warm and human writer who had a deep and rich relationship with God. The book is short enough to be easily managed in eight weeks. The book can be ordered from Amazon or any book store.  We begin on June 25—7:00p.m. at Beaver’s house.  Contact Beaver with any questions. (206) 246-5709 Please consider enriching your summer with this exciting study and fellowship time.

SOUND TECH OPPORTUNITY - We are looking for someone to help create and enhance an atmosphere of worship by serving as a Sound Tech Sunday mornings and/or for special services.  We will provide training needed.  Please prayerfully consider this ministry and talk to Edina Blackstock or Paula Hawkins if interested.”

New and improved BUSY BAGS for the summer. For the months of July and August, we will still be having a Children’s Message for the children, but instead of being dismissed to Sunday School, they will return to their seats for the remainder of service. HOWEVER, we have new Busy Bags for the children to engage in.  They will be UPDATED WEEKLY, so each week they can have new activities and stories to follow along with. 

Support SPC Youth

Youth Job Board is ready for business at Southminster.  The youth are very excited to be serving the people of Vancouver, B.C. this summer.  The youth have requested opportunities to use their skills to help pay for the costs involved in getting to Vancouver.  Youth job skills are posted in the coffee area. All jobs must be completed by June 30th.