New Weekly Publication Sent via e-mail Pastor Cynthia has begun an additional means of communicating with active participants of United Christian Church, Renton. In the first two editions dated May 2 and 9, she wrote, “We’ll be learning the platform and its possibilities so expect some inconsistency for a while as we share information via this email system once or twice each week. Over time we anticipate finding our style and what works best for us.” [“This Week @UCCR” will allow timely notifications of our church and community activities. Yay!—CG, Weathervane Ed.]

Sunday A.M. Study Group begins new bookThe Sunday Study is beginning the study of Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, by Rachel Held Evans. Raised in the heart of conservative evangelicalism, Evans discovers that the Bible is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God's loving and redemptive work in the world. We have a few copies of the book available ($12), or you may acquire your own copy/ebook. We begin gathering about 9 am for coffee and conversation, with conversation about the book beginning at 9:15 am. All are welcome to join us in the office building for thoughtful discussion and involvement in a caring small group.

Easter Morning, 2019

More News Inside Bruner Memorial, see page 4

Grad Open House Invitation, pg 4

Church Council of Seattle celebrates 100 years on page 4. An invitation.

All Church Read: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American city, pg 4 Choir Update from Chris C. on pg 5

CROPWALK, Brian’s report on pg 5

Page � , Mid-May ~ Mid-June2019 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 980581In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

Mid-May - Mid-June 2019

The Weathervane The Newsletter of United Christian Church, Renton, WA

Claudia Gillispie, Editornewsletter@uccrenton.org

Find Direction at United Christian Church, An Open and Affirming

Congregation. No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are

welcome here.

Members decorated the cross as they arrived. New banner celebrates Jesus’ Resurrection.

Easter Baskets Were Appreciated. Thank you, Joyce.

From Pastor Cynthia Greetings, Everyone!

Our Spring to Life initiatives are gestating, and beginning to sprout!  Throughout this newsletter, you'll see some ways you can help them bloom and reach fruition.  To get more involved

please contact the named contact for a project - or just get in touch with me. 

One new sprout is our weekly email communication.  It offers updates and details for our ministries and other opportunities of interest, generally mid to late each week.  If you've not been receiving these messages and would like to, please email Pastor Cynthia with your contact info! 

As we continue this Easter season, let's start our days (rain or shine!) with that Easter refrain, "Christ is risen!" "Christ is risen indeed!"  Breathe it in and let joy pervade your day, come rain or come shine.

In peace and hope, Pastor Cynthia

Easter Season Continues...And Pentecost Blows In!

In coming weeks we continue to celebrate resurrection life, then to mark Jesus' ascension into heaven, and then to celebrate the coming of the wondrous Holy Spirit in wind and flame on Pentecost Sunday.  You won't want to miss a one! Your presence in worship is the heartbeat of our congregational life.  Your presence is vital as together, with God's help, our congregation Springs to Life! 

May 19: 5th Sunday of Easter, Mental Health Sunday — Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 184, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-55, To the Thirsty May 26: 6th Sunday of Easter -- Acts16:9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21:1-7, 22:1-5, John 14:23-29, Reminders June 2: Ascension Sunday -- Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Enough June 9: Pentecost! -- Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Spirit, Companion

See YOU, every Sunday in the sanctuary! 

From the Moderator, Pat Auten What a wonderful Easter Service! Thank you Pastor Cynthia. People left with a smile on their face and a song in their hearts that Christ had risen indeed. Thank you to the choir for the beautiful

music. Chris does an outstanding job. And a special thank you to the Lacey’s for the beautiful flowers to decorate the cross. It is a wonderful way for all to participate. I so look forward

to this and know I am not the only one. The breakfast was outstanding! Don’t think we have had waffles before. Hopefully they will appear again next year. Thank you to all who contributed.

The Council is going to continue to meet on Sunday afternoon. I for one really like meeting then and it hopefully will continue at that time. It will be up to the Council to decide and, of course, we will consult Pastor Cynthia.

Thank you to all who have brought treats to have with coffee after the service. And thank you to Michael for making the coffee. This is a good time to talk with other members and welcome the new people that have joined us. The weather is beginning to warm and it won’t be long before we need to think about an ice cream social or picnic. ~Pat

REACH Recognition The Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches [REACH] recognized our church for its ongoing Cereal Ministry in its May email communication. It featured this picture of Leona Hansen, as she delivered cereal donated by our congregation. We are grateful for your willingness to take this responsibility, Leona. Thank you! Remember, Everyone: Bring cereal.

Page � , Mid-May~ Mid-June 2019 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;2In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

Dates & Times to RememberSundays: Study Group, 9 am, coffee and sharing time 9:15 am, book discussion, Office bldg. conference room; 10 am: Choir practices; others visit in Gathering Place. 10:35 am: Elders &Worship leaders meet for prayer; 10:45 am: Worship; coffee & conversation following 1st Sunday: Elders Mtg, following Worship, Office 2nd Sun.: Council Mtg, 1 pm, sanctuary (May Mtg on 19th) 2nd & 4th Mondays: Monday Munchers’ lunches, 12:20 pm, locations listed below. All are welcome. Thursdays: Choir practices, 7:00-8:30 pm, Sanctuary (Chancel Choir will be on vacation over the summer.) Men’s lunches (ROMEOS), 12:00 noon; contact Carl Kever or Terry Kimsey for location. All men are invited.

Other Groups Using Our Campus Regularly Include: Monday—Friday: Montessori School, 7 am-5 pm, Ed. Bldg., Mondays: Hula Group, 11 am-1 pm, once a month, narthex. 2nd & 4th Fridays: SCA group, 6 pm - 10 pm, all buildings Saturdays: AA, 10:30 am, Ed. Bldg. basement room. Sundays: “All-In” AA group, 6:30-7:45 pm, Sanctuary (New)

May - June Activities

Mid-May, E-mail News sent, usually following Council Mtg. May 18, Gardening with Pastor Cynthia, see more on pg 4. May 27, Mon. Munchers, 12:20 pm @Applebee’s, Renton (Note: This is a change because that date is a holiday.) Jun 2, Elders Meeting, following worship Jun 8, Memorial Service for Charles Bruner, 1:00, @UCCR Congregation to host a meal afterward. Watch for more info. Jun 8, Jules Sargent Grad Open House, 3-7 pm. RSVP, pg 4 Jun 9, Pentecost Sunday Jun 9, Council Meeting, 1:00, Sanctuary June 10, Mon. Munchers, 12:20 @Apogee, Fairwood June 24, Mon. Munchers, 12:20 pm@ Red Bamboo, Renton

The Renton Civic Theater will use our sanctuary on the evenings of May 15, 16, and 17 from 7:00 to 10:00 for their rehearsals. They will donate $50 an hour and they have liability insurance. They have agreed to return furnishings to how they found them. Linda B. will open and close the building and Jean G. will do the extra janitor cleaning. Thanks Jean and Linda for making this church use possible.

Pentecost On Pentecost morn they gathered in one place

Believers from every nation, tribe and raceIt became a dramatic event

From heaven sentWhen on a violent wind the Holy Spirit came

Touched each one with tongues of flameThese tongues of fireDid each one inspire

So they began to speakIn languages from Jew to Greek

Understood by one anotherAs if they were sister and brother

Some observers said what does this meanIt’s just a drunken sceneBut many saw the power

Granted to the disciples that hourBy the Holy Spirit that Pentecost morn

Became believers and the Church was born

~Herb Johnston, 3/19/07~ (former UCCR Elder)

Pentecost Sunday is June 9th, the birthday of the Christian church. WEAR RED!

Page � , Mid-May~ Mid-June 2019 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;3In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

Nathan M. added his flower to the cross at Easter Sunday worship (below).

We Send Sympathy and our Prayers: to JoyceBruner , James Bruner, their brother and to all their family members at the death of their father, Charles J. Bruner. A Memorial Service for Charles will be held on Saturday, June 8, at 1:00 pm at United Christian Church. The congregation will host a meal for family and friends following the service. Watch for more information.

And to former pastor Ken Colman, wife Tracy, and their family at the death of Ken’s mother, Peggy Colman in California.

Keep on holding Annie B. in your prayers as she continues her journey to succeed in her stem cell transplant.

A Little Gardening Needed to Perk Up Our Space! You're invited!

Saturday, May 18, 10 am: all who are interested are invited to join in reclaiming one or two small flower garden areas around the church buildings. We'll weed and clean up, and hope to plant a few things. We can use garden tools, donated plants (starts from your own gardens would be great!), and a bit of your time and energy. Please contact Pastor Cynthia if you plan to join in on Saturday or can provide tools, plants, etc.

United Church of Christ All Church Read

The Keynote Speaker during the United Church of Christ General Synod in June will be Matthew Desmond, author of the prize winning book, "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City.” This landmark work of scholarship and reportage takes us into the poorest neighborhoods of Milwaukee to tell the story of eight families on the edge.

Churches are being encouraged to read and discuss the book on their own. A study guide is available through the denomination. “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” will transform our understanding of eviction as a root cause of poverty.

It will transform our understanding of eviction and its impact on generational poverty through unjust housing policies. Desmond writes, “No moral code or ethical principle, no piece of scripture or holy teaching can be summoned to defend what we have allowed our country to become.”

Can the Church practice what it often preaches, “In that you did it for one of the least of these of mine, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)? In our book discussions we have an opportunity to lean in and listen to the lived experiences of those living with the reality of being evicted with no recourse, and sometimes no means of support, even from the church.

Invitation to a Party for Jules Friends of Jules Sargent are invited to a Graduation Open House, Saturday, June 8: 3 :00 to 7:00 PM at 16310 SE 132nd St., Renton WA 98059

RSVP: sargentzoo@msn.com (206) 498-0644

Our Congregation is Invited Please join the Church Council of Greater Seattle in celebrating 100 years of making a difference together on Saturday, June 1 at Plymouth Church, 1217 Sixth Ave., Seattle 98101. Doors open at 6 p.m.; Program at 6:30 p.m.; Buffet reception at 8:30 p.m. We’ll gather as communities brought together by the work of faithful justice. Across religion, sectors, geography and other diversities we’ll hear stories of our work together over the years; reflect on the present day; honor prophetic leaders essential to who we are today as the Church Council; and look to the future, together. All are welcome. This gathering, including the buffet reception, is free thanks to our community sponsors. RSVPs are requested.

More info & RSVP at thechurchcouncil.org/june-1-celebration/ Questions? Contact Ann at ..aerickson@thechurchcouncil.org or 206-204-3855.

Page � , Mid-May~ Mid-June 2019 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;4In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org

CROP Hunger Walk Report from Brian Tzeng It was another great day of walking, sharing for a great cause. The Lacey’s actually made it to the second post which is an extra mile over what they had been doing these last couple of years. Essentially they walked 4 miles. Peter was with my group when an elderly man from St Joseph’s fell and needed assistance. A few of us just happened to be behind him and helped him to the first mile post. From there I kinda lost Peter. My group walked the entire way for a total of 6 miles. We are hoping to do this annually and hope to be 20+ year participants like the Lacey’s. Janet Medcalf got a late start and isn’t in our pictures but she did six miles.

Below is the group of friends and family Brian also walked with, that includes some folks we recognize.

Chancel Choir's regular season winds down soon. The choir will present several anthems on Sunday, June 9, and then will take a well-deserved break. The choir will be back in worship beginning Sunday, Sept. 8.

During summer months, worship will still include plenty of music. Congregational singing will be led by choir members. Special music will be presented by many talented musicians, including vocalist Michael Moser, Dixieland-style pianist Floyd Hillman, the United Christian Church's own LLCM vocal quartet (featuring Lannette Sargent, Linda Becker, Caroline Bacon and Michael Moser), and our regular worship pianist, Cindy Dow.

Summer brings back another United Christian Church tradition: Mini hymn sings. Once or twice a month, worship attendees can request their favorite hymns.

I can't say enough about our choir members. They give hours of their time each week to rehearse and present music for worship, and they give up sitting with friends and family during Sunday services. Please express your gratitude to choir members you know personally.

We wish you joy and inspiration in our worship music this summer. --Chris Copley, UCC music minister

Did You Notice This Picture ?

!

We almost didn’t! Your Editor lost the flyer included with the Renton Utility bill, so didn’t see this picture on the front of the flyer about the Renton Recycling event. A couple of days before the event I went online to check over what all we could bring. I noticed something familiar about the picture. Two of the people are Us when we were more able than now. ~CG

Page � , Mid-May~ Mid-June 2019 Weathervane; United Christian Church, 15509 116th Ave. SE, Renton WA 98058;5In covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ

Phone: (425) 226-3080; Website: www.uccrenton.org; E-mail: Pastor@uccrenton.org