Midweek at Bear Creek. We need individuals, groups, committees, covenant groups, etc., to cook our midweek meals. Bread, salad, peanut butter and jelly, and macaroni and cheese will always be available. Your team will need to set up, prepare the meal, and clean up afterwards. If you are able to help fulfill this ministry, please contact Merideth or Tina Stroh at 425.481.5735.

Amazing Grace Seminar. The next Amazing Grace Seminar will be held on Saturday, October 18, from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. This class is the foundation study on being a United Methodist. We begin with God Is Love and end with a healing process as taught by Christ and supported by the Holy Spirit. This class is designed for the curious (who have no desire to join the church as this time), regular attendees and current members. It is also one of the first steps for those seeking membership into BCUMC. Breakfast, lunch and childcare (as requested) are provided. Mark your interest on the Presence Slip or contact the church office to sign up.

Craft Group. A new craft group will meet on the third Monday of each month beginning October 20 at 7:00 p.m. Bring your current project and your desire to get to know others at BCUMC. Projects will be available if you don’t have one of your own! You may also share your own projects. For more info, contact Joan Pierce.360.668.9691 or jpierce622@aol.com.

Dinner Groups. There are few things more enjoyable than sharing a good meal with good friends, old and new. It’s time once again to start a new round of dinner groups. Groups of six to eight people share four (or so) meals over a six-month period. The time of day, day of week, and menu are set by the group. This is such a good way to meet others in your church family. Please contact Joan Pierce if you are interested or would like more information. (jpierce622@verizon.net or 360.668.9691).

Join the E-Team! Beginning Sunday, October 12, you are invited to participate in a study by Martha Reese called “Unbinding the Gospel.” This topical study focuses on creating a disciplined and faithful church and discipleship in the community. It gets to real issues of ministry and outreach. Reese describes the experience of God as paramount, crossing theological and cultural boundaries. It may be too simplistic to say that where there is real prayer, churches will grow; however, it is a clear conclusion that where there is no prayer-where there is no experience of a living God- churches will wither. And virtually each of the interviewed leaders, while diverse in ministry style and tradition, rooted their ministries in prayer and spirituality. These are stories of churches doing the possible! Join us on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. in October, November and December.

Honduras Outreach Missionary. On Sunday, October 19, Gerald Varner, UMC minister and missionary working with Honduras Outreach, Inc., will be with us during worship. He’ll then hold an informational session during the Sunday school time about Honduras Outreach, its purpose and goals, and inform us about our mission trip to Honduras in August, 2009. For more information contact Tom Litchford (425.844.9625) or Marcia Gordon (425.301.7037).

Halloween Celebration. Come One, Come All to a celebration of All Hallows Eve at Midweek at Bear Creek on Wednesday, October 29. We will be celebrating Halloween two days early with fun, food and games. Please come join us from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Hopelink. High prices of gas and food have resulted in fewer food donations being made to Hopelink, as well as greater numbers of people needing food donations. Because of this special need, the Missions Committee has set aside the month of September to allow our congregation the opportunity to help. Look for bins under the Missions table for collection of the following items:

  • Juice (100% juice only)
  • Canned fruit
  • Applesauce
  • Rice
  • Dry Beans (pinto, red, black) 
  • Dried split peas
  • Canned vegetables 
  • Pasta (all varieties)

Hopelink is also in need of volunteers to drive for pickups in the Redmond and Carnation areas. If you are interested in volunteering on a short-or long-term basis, contact the volunteer coordinator, Sheila Sloan-Evans at 425.869.6066 or sheilase@ hope-link.org.

Free Tables. With the arrival of new tables we have purchased, we are giving away our old 8′ and 6′ tables. The wooden tables are free to take for home or some other organization that may need them.

Community Blood Drive. Our next interfaith blood drive will be held on Tuesday, October 7, from 1:00 to 7:00 pm (dinner break: 3:00 to 4:00) at Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church, 19020 Woodinville-Duvall Road.

Lay Speaking Course. A Lay Speaking Basic Course will be held on October 11 and October 18, 9 am - 3 pm (must attend both sessions) at Haller Lake UMC, 13055 First Avenue NE, Seattle. The Basic Course is open to any United Methodist who desires to be more effective in ministry to the local church. Lay Speaking Ministries equips the Laity to respond to God’s call in many areas of service. The Basic Course helps laypersons explore what God is calling them to do. Registration forms are available on the PNWUMC Web site: PNWUMC. Org. Questions? Contac Kathryn Garnett at 206.328.4701 or kathrynlgarnett@comcast.net.

Earth Ministry’s Celebration of St. Francis. Saturday, October 4, at 7p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church: 6512 23rd Ave NW, Seattle. Join Earth Ministry for our annual Celebration of St. Francis! We’re hosting our first-ever sermon contest and the evening will feature inspiring creation-care sermons by contest finalists in both the clergy and lay categories. You’ll get to vote on the top winner in each category-the lay category will be a secret ballot vote. In the clergy category, you’ll have a chance to vote with your dollars. All money raised will go directly to support Earth Ministry’s mission and programs. Another highlight of the evening will be presenting banners to our newest Greening Congregations, who have made a tangible commitment to implementing sustainable practices in the life of their faith communities. We’ll also have earth-honoring choral music performed by the Trinity United Methodist and Plymouth United Church of Christ choirs, and a celebratory reception. For more information see www.earthministry.org or call 206 632.2426.

Taproot Theatre. Taproot Theatre’s 2008 Mainstage season concludes with Susan and God by Rachel Crothers. This witty social comedy wowed New York with a 2006 off-Broadway revival of the 1930’s play. Susan and God runs through October 25. A pay-what-you-can performance will be held October 1 at 7:30 p.m. For more details, call 206.781.9707 or visit www.taproottheatre.org.

Student Exchange. Envision world peace. Have you ever considered hosting an international high school student? The Council for Educational Travel USA (CETUSA) is happy to answer your questions about this opportunity. We have students from Asia, Europe, Central and South America who dream of spending a semester or a year in an American high school. We can match you with a student who will fit right in with your family. Help us take those first steps toward word peace by calling 888.238.8721.