The Magnolian

1 Volume XXXXVI, No. 9 October 2016 The Magnolian Magnolia United Church of Christ where spirit and compassion meet Worship with us in October Oct 4 Meaningful Movie Night Documentary: The Brainwashing of My Father Oct 29 Fundraiser Dinner See inside cover for more information! Past Sermons on Line: Joy s sermons can be found on our website at The Visioning Team Update Our Visioning Team members have been meeting over the past few month. Using the book Beyond Resistance by John Dorhauer General Minister and President of the UCC, we have engaged in interesting and meaningful conversation. John writes that the world is changing and the role of the church is changing within the world. What do these changes mean to us personally and to us as a church community?

2 As a Visioning Team we recognize that presently much of the life of MUCC is vital, vi-brant and meaningful. We also recognize that the future of the church requires that we con-tinue to explore the aspects of who are what we are doing in today s world. In which areas can we push ourselves further? What are the things that are meaningful just as they are? How do we release the things that hold little to no meaning for us now? It has been both affirming and challenging for the team to venture into these conversations. We are in the process of creating our next steps. Over the next couple of months we will make a plan to engage you, the congregation. We want to introduce some of the concepts and ideas we have read about and have been thinking about. As well, we want to open up the conversation so that we all have an opportunity to share and listen to each other. If you haven t had the chance to read Beyond Resistance we invite you to consider doing so.

3 (There is a copy available in the church library) We think you may find it interesting and informative. If you have any questions or comments we invite you to contact any of us. Your Visioning Team, Lucia Schubert, Paul Gibbs, Michael Escalante, Bev Fissel, Patrick Hennessey, Anna Pedroso, Sheila Vortman, Cindy Whiston, Joy and Scott 2016 Fundraiser Dinner Harvest Moon Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 6:00 pm For the last two years, the church has supported our outreach ministries through special fundraising activities instead of allocating 10% of our total income in our operating budget. This allows us to be more direct and transparent about how and who benefit from the receipts of our fundraisers. Last year we were able to raise $13,000 through the Action Auction, the electronics recycling event, and the Fundraiser Dinner. Our target for this year is $10,700 which will be allocated to support the work of: Earth ministries , Doney Memorial Animal Clinic, Compass Housing, Blaine Kids in Care, Children of Vinh Son, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Cancer de Mama, Hug it Forward, Mental Health Chaplaincy, Taproot Theatre s Road Company, Tent City 5 and Pete s Place.

4 At the dinner we will have a great evening of fun and good food, and we will have the following opportunities to support these ministries : Buy tickets to attend the dinner and invite friends and family to join us for the evening. You can assure them that all proceeds from the evening will support the above ministries . Donate an item for the Action Auction. Items could include services (ride to the airport, pet sitting, etc.); special gift or event that you want to share (handmade baby quilt, homemade bread, cake or pie, evening cruise) or maybe a vacation opportunity (a cabin for a week, a time share). All receipts from the silent auction will support the above ministries . Print your own Action Auction donation form by clicking here. Dessert Auction. After dinner we will bid for dessert! Each table will contribute to acquire first dibs at the dessert table.

5 Choose from several delicious homemade selections fruit pie, coconut cake, cookies, cupcakes and more. You ll want to get there before your desired dessert is gone. If you would like to donate a dessert, please let us know. Bring your checkbook. This is your chance to show your support of the most important work we do as a church - our outreach to those in our community and around the world who need help. Help us reach our goal of $10,700 for 2016 - so be generous. See you all at the Harvest Moon Fundraiser Dinner, Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 6:00 pm! Questions? Contact Marilee Gibbs at (206) 784-0741 Quartet For Sale! Sponsor a moon song for the quartet to sing during the fundraiser dinner. Contact Scott with your selections. Faith Formation Series Opportunities This Fall Tuesday Bible Study- We meet from 1 to 2pm in the parlor.

6 Do note the time change (used to be noon). All are welcome! We traditionally study the lectionary passages for the coming Sunday. Tuesday, October 4 at 6:30 Meaningful Movie Night Documentary: The Brainwashing of My Father Please join us for this smart, thoughtful and meaningful documentary which takes a look at today s media and the influ-ence it has had on one man. Right-wing cable news and "conservative" talk radio attract older Americans like graying moths to an angry flame. But why would someone who was either apolitical or a Democrat in younger days become addicted to conservative talk shows in their twilight years? Filmmaker Jen Senko wondered how her WWII veteran and Kennedy Democrat father had been transformed into a Fox News fanatic, suddenly and inexplicably railing against blacks, gays, and poor people. Using her dad as an entertaining example, Senko pulls back the curtain to expose the tools and tricks of the wizards behind the right-wing media revolution.

7 And in discovering what happened to him, Senko reveals the all-too-chilling bigger picture of what s happening behind-the-scenes to influence our national discourse. Sunday, October 9 at 11:30 Pam Wallace will present one of her wonderful lectures on the interesting and sometimes troubling Apostle Paul, after church in the parlor. Monday s evenings October 10, 17, 24, and November 7 at 7 Pastor Joy will be facilitating a book study of Marcus Borg s book: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time . This series will help us consider what it means to take the Bible seriously but not literally . This book was unanimously chosen by those who participated in the MUCC survey on what book to study together this fall. It was published in 2001 so you should be able to find used copies on Amazon or check it out from the local library.

8 We also have 2 copies available in the MUCC library for you to borrow. MUCC Prayer Chain If you have a prayer request you can email Joy at or Pam Wallace, our coordinator, at call the office at 206-283-1788 or call or text Joy s cell phone at 425-361-5343. New Banners Creating art, one step at a time! Thanks to our artists, Scott and Dexter. Who Was Paul? Why is he controversial for many Christians? Sunday, October 9th Paul hated he became one! His missionary journeys did more for the spread of Christianity than any other follower of Jesus. His letters to the early Christian congregations make up almost half of the New Testament. So why does this zealous Apostle with the large personality and enormous faith often cause frustration and debate in many churches today? His views often draw strong negative reactions and have had a lingering affect on Christianity today.

9 Admire him or want to strangle is hard to study Paul and not feel a little of both emotions! Come hear an overview of Paul as part of our On-Going Education with Pam Wallace. Sunday, October 9th, grab a snack and meet in the parlor. Let's look again at who Paul was and his continuing influence on us today. Help Make This A Sustainable Fundraiser Dinner! The Harvest Moon Fundraiser Dinner is coming up on Saturday, October 29, 2016! As you already know, this year's theme is Harvest Moon! In the spirit of the recent themes of sustainability and minimizing the accumulation of "stuff," we'd like to solicit the congregation's help in collecting decorations for this event! Do you have something that fits in well with the theme of Harvest Moon or even the Moon and the Stars?

10 Do you have a centerpiece, stickers, ornaments or anything else that you think would add to the fun and enjoyment of the event? Would you like to donate them or even just lend them for one night? (You'll get them back!) We'll be sending mail chimps asking for specific items, but right now, please feel free to send me an email or a picture of what you have in mind to You can always call me with your ideas, too, at 206-941-8593. We'd like to make this a lovely evening without accumulating stuff that will never be used again. Or, even worse, end up in a landfill for the next thousand years! It won't be perfect, but we would like to try. It's an opportunity to think globally and act locally! Thanks for your consideration! Anna and Patrick Be proactive, be engaged, and be green!! Stewardship Sunday is November 13 Hey everybody!