October 2024
Together In Mission
Monthly Reflections from BCC
How the Body of Christ Talks: Pursuing Peace Through Courageous and Compassionate Conversations
By Phil Rushton
Lead Pastor
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says “blessed are the peacemakers.” It is important to note that peacemaking is not the same as peacekeeping. We can keep the peace by sweeping things under the rug and avoiding conflict. In order to make peace, however, we often have to have courageous conversations around difficult issues.
I’m currently reading the book, How the Body of Christ Talks, by Christopher Smith. Smith points out that it is becoming increasingly common for people to retreat into partisan camps. There has been, what some sociologists call, “The Big Sort,” where people have sorted themselves into groups that share similar economic, religious and political perspectives. As a result, we are losing our capacity to pursue healthy conversations with those whom we disagree.
The New Testament calls us to pursue peace and reconciliation across boundaries of ethnicity, politics and economic circumstances. Jesus’ group of disciples was made up of people who would have otherwise been cultural enemies. Zealots and tax collectors were on the opposite side of the culture wars in ancient Rome. The Zealots wanted to start a violent insurrection against Rome and the tax collectors were doing Rome’s bidding. The early church continued this trend. Paul describes how the church brought slaves and free, men and women, and Jews and Gentiles into community. Paul speaks about how the gospel makes it possible to break down the walls of hostility between people groups (Ephesians 2).
If we are to follow this New Testament vision of peacemaking, we need to learn how to have courageous and compassionate conversations. Christopher Smith argues that the body of Christ is called to break down walls of hostility by cultivating conversations that are marked by humility, curiosity, generosity, and patience. Smith writes, “We are powerfully tempted to resolve tensions by either fleeing and pretending they do not exist or by fighting, manipulating or forcing one another toward the unity we proclaim. Patience is a third way that is neither fighting nor fleeing.”
This fall, we are providing a number of opportunities for us to engage in courageous and compassionate conversations around important issues. Here are a few conversations happening this month.
On Oct 10, BCC is promoting an event focused on the Uyghur genocide in Northwest China and a screening of the documentary film "In Search of my Sister.” After the film, there will be a Q & A and discussion with human rights activist Rushan Abbas. Josh Blay, a newer attender at BCC, has a passion for this issue and will be present at the event. Josh completed his master thesis focused on interfaith advocacy for the Uyghur people at Northwest University. He spent time living in DC with Uyghur asylees, and advocating on capital hill with China Aid, a human right advocacy organization. Since then, he has helped host a number Uyghur advocacy events in the Seattle area. This event will be hosted at HillCrest Church from 7-9pm.
On Oct 12, BCC is hosting an event called “Recovery For Everyone: A Workshop about Addiction and Recovery” with Alan and Amy Muir. This runs from 10 am - 4pm. See below for more details.
Starting this Wednesday Oct 2, lead team member Rachel Gulleson and I are going to host monthly conversations related to issues of gender and human sexuality. Some of the topics will include: How do we have productive and edifying conversations around divisive subjects? How do we think theologically and pastorally about same-sex marriage and transgender issues? How and why have Christians come to different conclusions on these issues? How has the Covenant Church navigated the tensions around human sexuality? While this group is geared toward parents, we welcome all who are interested in participating. Dates: Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4, Jan 8, Feb 5 from 6:30-8pm in the library.
I believe that these conversational spaces have the capacity to form us deeper in the ways of the kingdom of God. My prayer is that BCC would continue to grow as a community of reconciliation and peacemaking as we learn to listen to one another!
With gratitude,
Pastor Phil
Mission Moment: The Malala Fund
This year we are wanting to be more intentional in noticing the ways God is at work among our people outside the walls of the church. We were blessed to see God moving in the life of one of our students, Jennie Mattix. Jennie took the initiative to raise awareness and support for the Malala Fund, which aims to support girls who do not have access to education. Our mission catalyst team was inspired by Jennie's initiative and matched the funds she raised this summer. Check out her video below.
If you or your group of friends have an idea for reaching our community or world in redemptive ways, our mission catalyst team is here to support you! This team exists to inspire and invest in Christ-centered missional initiatives at Bellingham Covenant Church that further God’s transformative work in our community and world. Click HERE To learn more, or apply for a mission catalyst grant.
Recovery for Everyone: A Workshop about Addiction and Recovery
Saturday, October 12
10am - 4pm
*light lunch included — Gym
Are you tired of seeing people you love fall back into destructive behavior over and over again? Are you hungry for the kind of healing that leads to lasting change?
The Recovery for Everyone workshop will explore the roots of addictive patterns that keep others—and ourselves—trapped in cycles of bondage. Come tackle those mystifying coping mechanisms that promise relief but keep us stuck: alcohol, substances, workaholism, food, worry, codependency, sex, shopping, technology, and other self-comforts. Come to better understand yourself and the ones you love, and come to allow God to encounter you.
About the Presenters: Alan and Amy Muia worked for years as chaplains in the Skagit County Jail with struggling and addicted people. Thirteen years ago, they founded New Earth Recovery, a residential recovery program in Mount Vernon, WA, consisting of six recovery homes. Alan currently directs the ministry while Amy is the associate pastor of congregational care at Bethany Covenant Church. Holding advanced degrees in education and pastoral licensing through the Evangelical Covenant Church, they enjoy teaching addiction and recovery principles in community group settings. With what they’ve learned, they feel passionate about helping others move toward freedom from shame, isolation, and addictions of all kinds.
For more information, contact Pastor Adria or Justin Mattix.
Creation Care Work Party
By Nancy Lewis
Join the Creation Care team on Saturday, October 26 from 9-noonish for a City of Bellingham work party to plant native trees and shrubs at Whatcom Falls Park. This well-planned, energetic event is a satisfying and worthwhile way to care for Creation with our wider Bellingham community. This is a good event for families with children over about 9 years of age. Get details and register individually at Work Party registration. This event fills up quickly!
Up Next:
CoWork Corner
Every Tuesday & Thursday
12:00pm-3:00pm in Cafe Fika
*This is a shared workspace
NO Prime Timers THIS Thursday, October 3
(Next Prime Timers, Wednesday, November 6, 12:30pm)
Vespers: Contemplative Evening Prayer Service
Sunday, October 6
6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Recovery for Everyone: A Workshop about Addiction and Recovery
Saturday, October 12
9:00am
2nd Cup of Coffee
Saturday, October 12
10:00am in Cafe Fika
*Ladies, join us for coffee and fellowship! If you are new to BCC, this is a great way to get to know other ladies in our church!
Coming in November
Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, November 9
9:00am-4:00pm