The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 May 2013   Volume 34, No. 5

 Manny Garcia, Pastor

 

 

 Seasons

By Pastor Manny

 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

 

          This month I had the privilege of reading Parker Palmer’s book, Let Your Life Speak.  The funny thing about that is, a couple of years ago I was encouraged by a friend to read this book, and a few pages into it I decided that it was a little dry for my taste.  What a difference just a couple short years make!  The time I was in when my friend made the recommendation was a season of uncertainty and of waiting.  The last thing I wanted to do was read a book about waiting and listening.  Truthfully, however, this book probably would have done wonders for my spirit back then.

          The funny thing about seasons is that they come and go.  We all experience them as we journey through life.  Palmer even closes his book with a chapter on the seasons of life.  “Autumn,” says Palmer, “constantly reminds me that my daily dyings are necessary precursors to new life.”  Autumn was where I was two years ago; learning to die to my own plans and desires and waiting for new life to emerge from the rubble that was left.  Often when we are in the autumns of life we do our best to pull ourselves out by our own power.  This was my temptation.  But Palmer notes, “If I try to ‘make’ a life that defies the diminishments of autumn, the life I end up with will be artificial, at best, and utterly colorless as well.”  The most vital step one can take when faced with an autumn is to be fully present.  Take in the beauty found in the decay that is coming.  Like the trees that fade from green to reds, yellows, and oranges before they finally wither away, our lives hold treasures and opportunities for growth even in the hardest seasons.

          Winter is the next season Palmer describes.  Aren’t all of us in Iowa familiar with this season?  Sometimes it seems like it will last forever.  Palmer explains, “Winter … is the gift of utter clarity.”  From the deepest moments of despair can come the clearest direction from God.  Like a fresh blanket of snow, the barrenness of winter can lead to a fresh start and a new beginning.  Do you look at life in this way?  When you face a “winter” in your journey can you look to the hope that the new season will bring?  Palmer encourages us Midwesterners with this; “If you live here long, you learn that a daily walk in the winter world will fortify the spirit by taking you boldly to the very heart of the season you fear.”  Winter is not a time to hide your face and lick your wounds; it is a time to meet the struggles head on, trusting that this too shall pass.

          Palmer describes spring by saying, “Before spring becomes beautiful, it is plug ugly, nothing but mud and muck … but in that muddy mess, the conditions for rebirth are being created.”  The same can be said about the spring of life.  When life seems messy, hard to navigate, and as drab as a rainy day we can trust that God is at work deep within our souls creating, preparing, and nourishing us for rebirth.  Humility plays a key role in this season.  We have to learn to accept the muddy conditions of our lives because they are what lead to the excessive blooming that will follow.  Palmer continues his description of spring with this thought, “The gift of life … has been given once again, and nature rather than hoarding it, gives it all away.  There is another paradox here … if you receive a gift, you keep it alive not by clinging to it but by passing it along.”  May your spring be a season of humility, growth, and generosity.

          The final season Palmer covers is summer.  He says, “Nature does not always produce abundance … there are summers when flood or drought destroy the crops and threaten the lives and livelihood of those who work the fields.  But nature normally takes us through a reliable cycle of scarcity and abundance in which times of deprivation foreshadow an eventual return to the bountiful fields.”  Isn’t this true of the summers of life as well?  Sometimes we experience that abundance that Jesus talks about in the Gospel of John, and other times summer can seem as dry and barren as a desert.  Palmer continues, “I am astonished at how readily I believe something I need is in short supply.  [But] In the human world, abundance does not happen automatically.  It is created when we have the sense to choose community, to come together to celebrate and share our common store.  Whether the scarce resource is money or love or power or words, the true law of life is that we generate more of whatever seems scarce by trusting its supply and passing it around.”  This truth is what the church is all about.  We are called to share our abundance in life so that those in seasons of drought, or in the autumns and winters of life can still have their needs met and share in the fullness of life with others.

          This is one reason that we felt led to Bangor Liberty Friends.  We felt that this was a community that shared its abundance.  In the last few months I have been so blessed as we have sought how to do this even better.  I am proud to serve our Lord side by side with each of you and I pray that our summer will be abundant with the love and hope that come only from knowing Christ, and that we would not hoard that abundance, but that we would pass it around liberally to all we meet.  And, if you are in a season of want, may Christ touch your life through those who are experiencing a season of abundance.  Most importantly, may you live fully in whatever season you find yourself in.

 

 

HOC Meal Report:

On April 25th 16 were involved in preparing, serving and cleanup for 68 guests.  The menu was shepherd’s pie, biscuits, salads from a local church luncheon, bananas, pudding, brownies or cake, & drinks. 

Our willing volunteers included Chris D, Diane R, James & Sharon, Barb Evertsen, Bill & Rosalee who provided food or funds; Diane T, Wayne T and Vi who prepared, Darla, Neil and Vi who served and Mike, Ann N and Neil who did the cleanup. 

Everyone seemed in good spirits enjoying the warmth and some even ate outside. The casserole with crunchy shredded hash browns on top drew many compliments and requests for 2nd helpings.  Our next ‘official’ meal night is May 30, but Margaret has agreed to prepare a meal on May 10 and would welcome anyone who is available to let her know if they can help.

 

 

May “Live Love” Ideas

·         In honor of National Bike Month talk with your local grade school.  Set a       

Day to bring your tools after school and provide free tune-ups on brakes,

gears, tires, etc.

·         Surprise employees of local businesses with cookies or specialty coffees.  Leave a card saying how you appreciate their service to your community and that you wanted to share God’s love.

·         May 6th-10th is both Teacher’s and Nurse’s week.  Send flowers and/or a note of appreciation to each one who has impacted your life in a positive way.

·         Post something you no longer need on craigslist.com for FREE.

·         Stop a parent to tell them how happy their child looks and/or how well behaved they are.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly

love.  Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10

 

 

Acts of love and kindness that can be expressed to children & youth -

*Invite a child whose grandparents don’t live nearby to be your adopted grandchild.

*Share a skill you have acquired through the years with a child who has that interest.

*Send cards to all the kids in your church on their birthdays.  Include a note about how you enjoy watching them grow.

 

 

Children’s Church

Children age 4 through grade 5 are encouraged to participate on May 5 & 19.  Lessons will be revolve around Romans 12:6-8.  We will prepare snacks for those attending Monthly Meeting, show appreciation for our Quaker Heights Camp workers and make lunch for the visiting Jonathan House guests.  Children’s Church does not meet in June and July.

 

 

Liberty USFW

           Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at Colleen Welch’s home at 7 pm on Thursday, May 16th.  Cathy Zeliadt, Iowa USFW Reading Course Chairman will be sharing the new books. 

 

 

BLFC Youth planning to attend Camp Quaker Heights camps this summer are reminded to get your completed registrations to Church Treasurer, Scott Davis by Sunday, May 19th. 

 

 

Don’t Forget!

*Photography dates for church directory

   Friday, July 19, 2:00-9:00 pm &

   Saturday, July 20, 9:00-4:00 pm

* August 4-9, 2013 - Kingdom Rock VBS

* Sunday, September 8, 2013, BLFC Concert Under the Stars

 

 

Run for Redemption

          The week of May 12th Pastor Manny will run a trio of marathon length runs (one on the 13th, one on the 15th and one on the 18th) in honor of the 3 individuals who lost their lives in the Boston Marathon bombing.  He is seeking donations, either by the mile or a lump sum that will be sent to help the victims and families of the bombing.  100% of the funds raised will be sent to the relief effort.  Go to www.youcaring.com/r4rboston to donate.  Or if you wish to make a charitable contribution that is tax deductible, make your check out to Bangor Liberty Friends Church and mail to the church at 1260 Hopkins Ave and 100% of those funds will be sent on to the victims and families.

You can view Manny’s marathon routes on the website above in the “gallery” section.  Times will be determined for each run dependent on temperatures and forecast for that week.

          In addition Manny will need some volunteers to share their time to run, bike or skate a few miles with him each of the runs, especially on the 2nd & 3rd runs.  These volunteers will help carry water, carb loaded snacks as well as offering moral support. Interested in volunteering or donating?  You may contact Manny on his cell phone at 641-750-3622. 

 

 

Congratulations!…to Pastor Manny on receiving his Master’s Degree in Transformational Leadership from Barclay College on May 5th in Haviland, Kansas.  A celebration potluck will be held on Sunday, May 19th after Worship; bring a dish to share, maybe something you know Manny really likes.  A special cake will be provided.

 

 

Congratulations, Graduates!

*Rebecka Keller graduates from BCLUW High School on May 19th.  She is the daughter of Nick and Mindy Keller of Union.

She plans to attend the Madison Media Institute in Madison, Wisconsin, this fall, attending year round to earn a 4-year degree in 2 years.

 

*Michelle Keller will graduate from Central College in Pella, Iowa on May 11th with a dual major in Religion and Philosophy.  She will be attending Seminary School in Holland, Michigan this fall.  Nick and Mindy Keller of Union are Michelle’s parents.

 

*Andi Albright, granddaughter of Kristy Albright, will graduate from Central College in Pella, Iowa on May 11th.  She will receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  She will do student teaching later to earn a teaching certificate which will enable her to teach Math and English in grades K-8.  Andi and Grant Runge will be married at BLFC on June 21st. 

 

 

May Missions Emphasis

Jonathan’s House in Sierra Leone

            In 2002, Roger Hatch traveled from Marshalltown to Sierra Leone as part of a mission team and saw many needs.  After returning home, Roger and a pastor he had met in Sierra Leone started the process of opening a home for children without parents. Land was purchased and cleared and a small house was built on a small patch of land just outside of Bo.

By early 2004, about a dozen children lived in the home. But this was just the beginning. More children came and more buildings were built. By early 2007, there were about 70 kids living at the orphanage (“JCCC” for Jonathan Child Care Centre) and still more in foster care homes. In 2010, the teenage boys moved to their own Ministry House and the girls to another.  A primary school was built on the orphanage property in 2005–open to the children living there as well as area children.  They continue to care for orphaned and vulnerable children through various means.  Their website is:  http://www.jonhouse.org/

Our third Sunday Mission Offering on May 19 will support this ministry.  Roger Hatch and some children will be sharing during our Sunday School hour and briefly in worship.  Come at 9:30 to enjoy donuts and fruit while hearing about this important ministry to children and their families.

 

 

Library Ledge         

Pointers for Parents

            During May parents, grandparents and teachers can sharpen their parenting skills by checking out the books and audiotapes found in our church library. 

          Pray through your child’s life with The Power of a Praying Parent’s 30 easy-to-read chapters.  The book on tape Inspire Your Kids to Greatness shows how to make those parent-teen relationships remain healthy and helpful with steps to improve communication.

          Just Because They’ve Left Doesn’t Mean They’re Gone helps service the ups and downs of parenting adult children.

Creative, Confident Children shares frank discussions regarding child discipline, character development and spiritual health.  Check these and others out on the library ledge.

 

 

Remember In Prayer    

~College students finishing their spring semesters

~Don Macy recuperating well from surgery

~BLFC Jr. High Mission Trip to Kenosha,

   Wisconsin, July 21-29, Adults and

   youth who are participating.

~The new director at Mesquakie Friends,

   Daneen Ahumada & her husband Juan.

~Providential Homes Ministry has

   finished their last home; they are

   seeking another to rehabilitate

~Nathan & Brianna Martin in Cambodia. 

   Nathan suffering from sinus infection;

   Brianna dealing with serious bouts of

   morning sickness & depression

   during her 2nd pregnancy-baby due

   in Oct.

~Camp Quaker Heights staff, volunteers,

   and campers as camp season begins

~Sam & Becky Barber & family at the

   Belize Friends School.  Sam will be

   sharing at BLFC June 23, 6:30 pm

*The Missions Committee of Iowa Yearly

Meeting would like to call you to prayer in regard to the Peace Curriculum that is in process for the elementary schools of Kenya.  Charlotte Stangeland, Dana Oswald and Mary Glenn Hadley have been working on this in conjunction with a group of teachers from Kenya for over 4 years.  Pray that there will be clear understanding of the required steps leading to approval of the curriculum for a pilot study, perseverance to continue the process, and that KICD will see the value of a pilot study, leading to the curriculum being used in the elementary schools.

 

 

Kingdom Rock VBS

Where Kids Stand Strong for God!

In just a few months, Bangor Liberty will be royally rockin’ as we begin an epic adventure at Kingdom Rock VBS! Kids will worship God through songs and prayer, experiment with Sciency-Fun Gizmos, and discover life-changing Bible truths in fun and memorable ways. To have the best adventure possible, we need lots of volunteers who can give their time, energy, and love to the kids.

Whatever your gifts, abilities, and time commitment, we’ve got a place for you. Crew leaders, staff devotions, Bible leaders, games leader, set designers, transportation, mission presenters, registration, snacks, nursery and lots of floaters.  See Jenalee or Margaret to volunteer or to learn more. We believe that God will use this program to reach many children with the message of His love, so prayerfully consider your role in Kingdom Rock the evenings of August 4-9.

 

 

                          Last DEEPER Session

                              Wednesday, May 22

                                   6:15 pm

The entire church family is invited to join together for a

potluck meal and kickball game.  All ages are welcome

to join us for the fellowship and to play or cheer!