Electric Fire
It All Begins Here
By Phil Rushton, Lead Pastor
“The reason why anyone refuses his assent to your opinion is in you. He refuses to accept you as a bringer of truth, because, though you think you have it, he feels that you have it not. You have not given him the authentic sign.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
In his book, Aflame, Pico Lyer tells the story of a man who had a surprising encounter with a Benedictine monk at the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California. This man had recently received a 3 million dollar inheritance and told one of the monks that he wanted to make a large donation to the monastery. To his surprise, the monk encouraged him to hold off on giving them any money for a while. The monk advised him to wait until he really knew what he wanted to do with his inheritance. Reflecting on this experience, the potential donor wrote, “So many worthy causes keep bombarding us with requests. They want more money, new members, they’re so keen to seem up-to-the-moment. I like the way these guys almost never ask for anything. They have no interest in being cool. Their longing is to be warm. On fire even.”
The revivalist Leonard Ravenhill once said, “You never have to advertise a fire.” People are naturally drawn to the warmth and light of a fire. If a large fire breaks out, people stop to look. In a similar way, the story about the donor and the monk reveals that people are drawn to those who exude an authentic faith and a spiritual warmth. As Ralph Waldo Emerson observes, people are intuitively looking for an authentic sign.
When Christian individuals or communities are insecure about their lack of influence or impact in the world, they can get into marketing mode. I regularly receive appeals from ministries that seek to drum up support and seem “up-to-the-moment” with slick and professional marketing campaigns. These appeals sometimes lack authenticity. They sometimes seem more desperate than credible.
This got me thinking about the difference between a real fire and those fake electric fireplaces you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot. An electric fire does have its conveniences. It is easy to control, it provides on-demand heat with the flick of a switch, you can set a precise temperature, and it is something that can be easily replicated and produced. However, it doesn’t feel like a real fire. For one thing, the flames are usually made with lights that follow a predictable pattern. It’s not fooling anyone! These faux flames aren’t even producing the warmth; they are just there for show.
Real fires are less convenient, to be sure. They are harder to start. They require regular refueling, attention, and vigilance. They can be a bit messy and leave smoke in your eyes. They are less predictable and even come with some risk. Yet, they create a warmth and hospitality that an electric fire will never accomplish.
I’m inspired by the monks of New Camaldoli Hermitage. My hope is that we might have a longing to be warm. On fire even! I’m convinced that the church’s most important work of outreach begins by forming disciples who exude the authentic sign. The way of Jesus is often slow, messy, unpredictable, and time-consuming. But the formation of authentic disciples creates a credible, hospitable, and compelling witness to the world around us.
God Bless,
Pastor Phi
Children’s Ministry: Working Together to Serve Kids
Dear Church Family,
Happy Spring! I wanted to check in and paint a clearer picture of what Sundays look like for our kids—and invite you to prayerfully consider how you might come alongside them.
Each Sunday, about 45 children fill our classrooms—that’s a full, lively group of kids learning, playing, and growing together. Across our church, 93 children call BCC their home and show up regularly throughout the month.
We are so grateful that families are finding a home here, and that our kids are experiencing a sense of belonging and growing in their relationships with God and one another. But this doesn’t happen by accident— it happens because caring, consistent adults show up week after week to be with them.
As we look ahead, here’s what it would take to make sure every child continues to be known, safe, and loved:
Summer Season (June – September)
Summer is a wonderful (and simple!) time to step in. Our regular volunteers take a break, and kids’ programming is just 40 minutes, with fully prepared, scripted lessons.
To care for our kids each week, we need:
22 people total, each serving just 3 Sundays all summer.
If you’re only available once or twice, we’d still love to add you to our sub list!
2026-2027 School Year (September – May)
Nursery:
If 18 people each serve 1 hour, once a month, our nursery is fully staffed for the entire year.
2 subs needed as well to help provide flexibility.
Preschool:
A small, consistent team of 9 people total creates a warm and welcoming space:
3 Storytellers (serve 2 weeks in a row, then 4 weeks off)
4 Helpers (serve once per month)
2 Subs
School Age (K–5th Grade):
Our elementary ministry runs on 4 small teams, each caring for a classroom. Each team includes:
2 Storytellers (serve twice per month)
4 Helpers (serve once per month)
2 Subs
When all 4 teams are in place (32 people total), every classroom is supported, and every child is known.
In Summary, What Does It Take To Fully Staff Our Kids Ministry??
22 people × 3 Sundays = a fully covered summer
18 people × 1 hour/month = a thriving nursery
9 people = a consistent preschool team
32 people = fully supported K–5 classrooms
These numbers above represent something bigger:
A child being greeted by name
A child feeling safe and seen
A child learning about God in a place where they belong
When we say “yes,” even in small ways, it really does make a lasting impact.
If you’re interested in serving—or just want to learn more—I would love to connect with you and help you find a role that fits.
Thank you for being a church that cares deeply for its kids.
With gratitude,
Megan Mattix
Children & Family Ministries Director
BCC|Youth & Creation Care Trail Clean Up
By Jacob Henderson, Middle School Director
We recently had the wonderful opportunity for our youth to partner with the Creation Care team and spend part of the day cleaning up the Discovery Trail behind the church! This event brought two of our ministries together, creating space for connection across age groups while caring for our shared outdoor space.
Our 27 participants took on a variety of tasks such as shoveling wood chips into wheelbarrows, spreading them along the trail to make the path easier to walk, tackling overgrown blackberry bushes and mint, pulling weeds, cleaning up the fire pit area, and washing trail signs. Many hands truly made light work, and it was a beautiful sight to see our church family working together to care for this space.
During the second half of our time together, the youth used interactive bingo sheets as they worked along the trail, adding a playful energy to the day and the chance to win some fun prizes.
We are so proud of our youth for continuing to engage in church life, whether through the worship and tech team, kids ministry, or caring for our property. So often, we encounter God in nature, and Psalm 96:12 reminds us of God’s love for creation: “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”
Join Us in Celebrating Creation on Earth Day
By Mike and Heather Merchant, Members of the Creation Care Team
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it: for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. — Psalm 24:1-2
As followers of Christ, we recognize that God created the earth and all its wonders. He has also given us the responsibility to take care of this beautiful gift and thereby honor him as Creator. Caring for creation is not only our duty but a reflection of our faith and love for God and each other.
To celebrate God’s creation on Earth Day, BCC’s Creation Care team is partnering with the City of Bellingham on April 25th to offer four convenient opportunities for you to practice stewardship and to part with unwanted items sustainably. So, clean out your garage, clear your office clutter, collect all your worn-out athletic shoes, and save all your plastic wrap! Then swing by on Saturday, April 25, between 12 and 3 pm and drop off the following items:
Sensitive documents for shredding
Electronic waste for refurbishing or recycling (old TVs, computer monitors, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, e-readers, portable DVD players, and anything with a cord)
Batteries of all kinds for recycling
Used athletic shoes and sneakers. Please tie or rubber-band matching shoes together. NOT ACCEPTED: NON-ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR OF ANY KIND. Depending on the condition, shoes go to resale markets, recycling, or conversion to create new energy.
Plastic film – save and store all your plastic grocery bags, ziplock bags, plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, bread bags, produce bags, and thin, flexible plastic package wrapping
Why Are We Collecting Plastic Film?
Plastic film is one of the biggest sources of waste found in most households. And it’s a tricky one! While most plastic filmcan be recycled, many cities will not accept it in curbside collection because of the damage they cause to sorting machines during the recycling process. Plastic film wraps around the equipment, causing shutdowns, costly repairs, and interruption of all recycling sorting processes. As a result, 77% of the plastic film produced each year ends up in landfills. Plastic bags are the biggest culprit, as 5 trillion plastic bags are produced and used each year worldwide. If the bags were laid side by side, they would circle the earth seven times!
This year, BCC is fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in Ridwell’s spring recycling drive. Through Ridwell’s partnership with Trex Company, the plastic film BCC collects will not only stay out of the landfill but also go on to a second life as decking material. A standard 16-foot Trex deck board contains recycled materials from approximately 2,250 plastic bags and is 95% recycled content. Ridwell will do a one-time pickup of BCC’s accumulated plastic film and send it on to TREX to be recycled into lumber. A win-win for everyone!
We invite you to join us this Earth Day in clearing your clutter, reducing your environmental impact, and honoring our Creator.
Up Next…
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 2
5:30-7 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room
*Join us for a simple meal of soup (with chicken nuggets for the kids) and a short worship service. This is an intergenerational and kid-friendly service.
Good Friday
Friday, April 3
6:30-7:30 pm in the Sanctuary
*Join us at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary for a contemplative time of worship, prayer, and reflection on Jesus' journey to the cross. No childcare provided, but all are welcome.
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 4,
11 am-2 pm at the Weiss‘
*Come join us for the most epic Easter Egg Hunt of all time at the home of Sandy and Phil Weiss! Lunch and eggs provided! Invite your friends and neighbors as well! Phil and Sandy's address is:
9103 Sunrise Rd.Custer, WA 98240. See you there!
Easter Sunday!
Sunday, April 5
9:00-10:00 First Service
10:00 - 11:00 All-Church refreshments and coffee in the Foyer
Stay after the first service or come before for the second service to fellowship with everyone!
11:00-12:00 Second Service
*To make room for those who would like to join us on Easter, we will be having two services at 9 am and 11 am! We will have coffee and treats to celebrate during the life together hour at 10 am (no Sunday school this day). This will be an intergenerational Sunday, all ages in the sanctuary, celebrating this wonderful day together! We encourage you, as always, to bring friends, neighbors, and extended family! I'm excited to celebrate with you all!
Prime Timers
Thursday, April 9
12:30 pm in the dining room
*Join this great group of retired-age folks for a potluck lunch in the BCC dining room. Contact Jim Bruns for more information at (360) 393-1403.
Religion & State Forum
Wednesday, April 15
6:30-8:00 in Classroom C
*Discussion of the book Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony, by Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon. Contact Mark Olson for more information.
Garage Sale Drop Off
Sunday, April 19
10:30 am-Noon (Following the worship service)
*This is the ONLY day we will be accepting items you wish to donate for our Shop-for-a-cause garage sale
Shop-for-a-Cause Garage Sale
April 25-26
Recycling Drive-Thru
Saturday, April 25
*More Info HERE