June 2023
By Phil Rushton
Lead Pastor
"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength," but you were not willing. Isaiah 30:15
When our twins were born, our pediatrician told us that we wouldn’t get a real vacation until they were five or six. For the first few years, we would go on trips but they wouldn’t be vacations. We would be changing diapers, carting around pack-n-plays, and managing the chaos of two toddlers! Her prediction was basically true. I am happy to report, however, that this past week we had what felt like a real vacation! Hooray for making it through the first five years! Julie and I were able to relax on the Oregon coast and catch our breath for the week.
While I was on vacation I was reminded of how rest is both important and countercultural. Rest and quietness are vital. In Isaiah 30, the people of God are responding to their insecurity and fear by striving, fretting, and taking things into their own hands. The prophet reminds them that salvation and strength require them to cease striving. Strength is found when they rest, return to the Lord, and quiet their hearts.
Commenting on this passage in Isaiah, Thomas Merton writes,
Contradictions have always existed in the soul of man. But it is only when we prefer analysis to silence that they become a constant and insoluble problem. We are not meant to resolve all contradictions but to live with them and rise above them and see them in the light of exterior and objective values which make them trivial by comparison. Silence, then, belongs to the substance of sanctity. In silence and hope are formed the strength of the saints (Is 30:15)
In rest and silence, new perspectives can emerge. In rest and silence, we can discover the still small voice of God that has been drowned out by our constant analysis and problem-solving. In rest and silence, we create enough margin for God to actually speak and guide us.
Yet, this posture of rest and silence is countercultural. It goes against the ways we have been formed. It is notable that Isaiah 30:15 ends with the statement, “But you were not willing.” God calls us to rest, repentance, quietness, and trust. Our human nature is set on busyness, striving, analysis, and fear.
During vacation, I intentionally removed my e-mail app from my phone and did not check it for 8 days. By the second day, I was dealing with some withdrawal symptoms. It felt vulnerable to not be checking what was happening, responding to needs, or solving problems.
Eugene Peterson argues that we need a kind of “acquired passivity.” Culturally we are so formed by the values of productivity, achievement, and status, that the biblical call to rely on God’s grace and abide in God’s love needs to be acquired. We need to unlearn the cultural rhythms that teach us to live without any dependence on God.
This does not mean we should be disengaged and lazy. God does call us to work with him. In Matthew 11:28-30 God calls us to take on his yoke. A yoke is an instrument of work. The metaphor does not call us to disengagement but dependence. We are invited to cease living as if it is up to us to bear the burdens of the world alone.
As we head into the summer season there is often more margin available to us. School winds down, sports and other extracurricular programs pause, and even our church rhythms are a little bit less scheduled. Perhaps this summer is an opportunity for us to prioritize quietness, repentance, and rest. These are the practices, I believe, that allow us to acquire the passivity that is needed to allow God’s grace and strength to enter into our lives. This summer may we discover the strength that comes as we make room for quietness, rest, and returning to the Lord.
In Christ,
Pastor Phil
By Janet Russell
Pastor of Christian Formation & Community Life
As I count down the days to June 4, which will be my final day on staff at BCC and my farewell sermon, what can I say to this church that has been my home and family for 42 years? I feel such gratitude and love for you. You have cared for me and my family well through joys and challenges. You have given Marc and I a place to grow and stretch and find our place in God’s kingdom purposes.
Thank you for the privilege of serving you for 20 years! From “Keeper of the House” (janitor) to Pastor-it has been quite a journey. You have shown grace and patience, encouraging and supporting me as I found my pastoral feet among you. It isn’t always easy to be a pastor where you have grown up in your faith, but you made it a joy.
You have a wonderful staff! Not many retiring people can say they will miss staff meetings, but I will. Pastor Phil, Jeffg, Megan, Adriele, Jacob, and Kris: I will miss you!! I will miss the laughter, the tears, the honesty, and so many #tendermoments…and I am definitely taking my “heiress” cup with me. 😊
Many have commented that I can retire, but not leave. In the Covenant, we have a pastoral ethic that counsels pastors to leave with “courteous finality.” In a more associate role it is fuzzier, but for my own soul and the health of the church as it seeks and finds a new pastor, Marc and I will be leaving BCC for an indefinite period of time. A pastor’s last act of service is to leave well. We’re not exactly sure what that looks like, but we do hope to return to worship with you again in the future.
In the meantime, know that you’re in our hearts and prayers. Philippians 1:3-6 express well how I feel:
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Thank you, beloved church, for so powerfully expressing the light and love of Christ!
With a heart overflowing with gratitude,
Pastor Janet
By Phil Rushton
With the bittersweet news of Pastor Janet retiring this month, we have started the process of looking for our new associate pastor. On May 7, we hosted a short congregational meeting to share a vision and seek congregational affirmation for the direction we are heading with staffing. The Lead Team proposed that we consolidate what were previously two part-time positions (Janet as adult formation pastor and Steven Shetterly as missions director) into one full-time position. By consolidating what were both 0.4 positions into a full-time position with benefits, it will expand our previously approved budget.
Our congregation unanimously voted to approve this direction with staffing. We want to thank you for your support as a congregation. At the end of the presentation, we shared three ways you can specifically support this transition:
Pray: Please pray for God to give us discernment and lead us to the right candidate.
Engage: Consider the ways God is asking you to get involved in ministry and mission here at BCC. As we continue to grow in numbers but also in mission, we will continue to need more hands on deck to support the work of the church!
Give: Consider how you might be able to financially support the increase to this budget. This is not a drastic increase, and it is within the range of what our church has sustained in the past; however, it will require us to collectively increase our support of the church this year compared to last. Some of us are giving what we can and that is great. Others of us may have the capacity to increase our support or begin supporting the ministry and mission of the church. We simply ask you to prayerfully discern how you can invest in this expansion of ministry and mission here at BCC. For info on the different ways you can give, or to give online, please visit bellinghamcov.org/giving
Here is where we are in the transition process:
The lead team formed a small search team to work alongside Pastor Phil in the hiring process. In addition to Phil, this team consists of Kevin Park, Annie Graham, and Charity Garza.
We advertised the position through the Evangelical Covenant Church job board, Regent College and Fuller Seminary, local churches in Whatcom County, and our website. If you know people who are interested in learning about the position and applying, please direct them to www.bellinghamcov.org/hiring
We have started to receive applications and will begin a review process in mid to late June. We will keep you as a congregation updated on the progress of our search!
Thank you for your support and partnership in ministry. We are excited to invest in our mission to grow deeper in Christ, for the good of our neighbors!
Join our church family on September 8-10 for a classic camping experience in the Cascade Foothills! Our relaxing weekend will be held at Silver Lake State Park. Located just 45 minutes from Bellingham, Silver Lake feels like it’s a world away! With boating, fishing, boat rentals, playground, hiking, camping, and more, this weekend will be a popular event for our entire church family!
We’ll be staying at the Silver Lake Group Camp, which is designed for large groups with campsites arranged around a central picnic shelter.
We have 33 sites available to us and lots of space for those who prefer an “off grid” tent experience.
Registration will be first come, first serve.
Visit our website for more information and to register!
Let’s Celebrate and Reflect on our 6k event Sunday, May 21!
Question: What was the Best part of the day for you? Was it…
Wearing the bright orange T-shirt and pinning on the race bib with a child's face in Congo?
Walking, jogging, or talking with friends at BCC along the beautiful, festive 6K loop?
Learning that 6K or 3.7 miles is the average distance many people walk for water that is unhealthy in the developing world?
Collecting colorful rubber bands every time you passed the start/finish line?
Learning that the W.A.S.H Program in Congo includes clean Water that lasts, Sanitation and Hygiene, which includes latrines and handwashing stations?
Joining BCC friends for delicious BBQ lunch and conversation after the race?
Celebrating the generosity of all of you at BCC in raising over $5,800 dollars, surpassing our goal for our 2023 Global 6K?
Imagining the joyful faces of over 116 children in Gemena and Karawa, DR Congo, because now they and their families have Hope of experiencing a more abundant life?
We wish to extend a heartfelt Thank you to Kathy Sellereit, Edy Au, Ruth Mitchell, and the multitude of BCC Volunteers, Participants, and Donors who made this year's Global 6K for Water an amazing success! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Pastor Janets Last Sunday
Sunday, June 4th
*Join us in the foyer for a reception following the service.
Vespers Service
Sunday, June 4th
6:00-7:00 PM
Vespers is a contemplative evening worship service of scripture, singing, and prayer
*Meets in the sanctuary
Women’s Game Day
Thursday, June 8th
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Join us for a fun time of connection! Bring your favorite game or use some of ours
*Meets in the Youth Room
Church Yard Work Party
Saturday, June 17
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Come help us keep our campus beautiful! The more hands, the lighter the load!
*A light picnic lunch will be available