Fall Activities Planned for Women

After a summer hiatus, East Hills women’s ministries are preparing for another season. The two main areas of activities expressly for women are Alliance Women and Heart to Heart.

Alliance Women is headed by a team that includes Chris Church as President. Their schedule and plans for the coming year have been put together; the key meeting time is the second Tuesday of each month. The first meeting is Tuesday, September 11th, at Chris Church’s home at 3028 Maple in Longview. Their focus is missions and prayer with lots of fun and meaningful activities added to the mix.

The second area is Heart to Heart, which will again be meeting in a revised format on Thursday mornings and evenings beginning September 20th. This ministry is led by me and features Bible studies, times of fellowship, and this year a few surprises thrown in.

The specific plans for both of these ministries, as well as other opportunities for women, will be unveiled at a special evening event in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7:00. Called "Autumn a la Mode," it will feature presenters, handouts, prizes, free childcare, and of course pie a la mode. All women are invited to check out what is new for them this fall.

Combined Service, Barbecue, and Baptism

East Hills' next combined church service will take place on Sunday, September 9, at Kelso High. It is a 10:30 meeting bracketed by food: Chris Simmons and her hospitality team will be responsible for coffee and snacks before the service, and a barbecue is planned for afterward, with the church providing all grills, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Finally, there will be a baptism that same Sunday, although the location for this has not been set.

This is one of the few times during the year that the entire church can meet in one place. Pastor Nick is preaching, Matt Milligan leading worship, and there will also be drama and special music. The staff will be announcing information about the ministry programs for the coming year, including important news about new directions for our small groups.Childcare is available for newborn through fifth grade.

Back-to-School: Year 4

On August 19, East Hills held its fourth annual Project Back-To-School, with Lori Shero returning as the organizer. We supplied more than 60 children attending Butler Acres and Wallace schools with their backpacks and school supplies. The kids brought lists of their teachers, and our volunteers were equipped with lists of what supplies each teacher requires, so each kid could fill his new backpack with just what he needed. At the same time, but we served hot dogs to kids and their parents, washed their cars, and had a Hoppin' House for some to play on while others stocked up.

"The volunteers and donators were generous," Pastor Ann said. "The people who worked were enthusiastic, welcoming, and genuinely expressed the love of Christ to kids and their families. It was enjoyable to be a part of this event."

There were enough leftovers that we were able to make up six extra backpacks and deliver them to Barnes for needy students, and still more extra supplies will go to 25 kids at Community House.

Rentz Baby News!

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Chuck & Jenny Rentz, our former Missionaries in Residence, have given birth to their fourth child. Daniel Stephen was born August 22 at 9:50 a.m. He was 22 inches long and weighed 10 lbs. 6 oz! Jenny and the baby are both doing well. Daniel joins big brothers Erich & Thomas, and big sister Emily. Chuck wanted to express his thanks to our church family for the love offering that was taken in May. It helped them purchase a 7-passenger van, which they brought home the day before the baby was born! God is good!

Baby has arrived!

We are pleased to announce the safe arrival of Madelyn Grace Stumbo. She was born Tuesday, July 31, at 10:56 AM, weighing a whopping 8 lbs, 11 oz. She is 21" long and has a little tuft of silky hair. She joins big sister Alyssa Joy Stumbo who is 2 1/2 years old and happy to have her new playmate. Michelle is doing fine and expects to be home by Thursday. Pastor Nick appreciates your love and prayers for his family. Please call the office for updates, or watch this space. More pictures soon!

God's Invitation: "Will you become part of the miracle?"

The following story of a miracle was shared with me by Mary Hagle. I know you will enjoy reading this and being reminded again that we are in touch with a God of miracles! ~Ann


Early in 2006, I began praying in earnest about relocating to Longview/Kelso to share housing with Susan, Emmett and Sydney Turya, my daughter and grandchildren. Susan had bought a house with room for me in it, and we had been talking about sharing housing for several years.

As I continued to pray about the move, I was asking God how He intended to use me in my new home and community. I very clearly heard that my first calling was to pour love, acceptance and forgiveness on Susan, Syd and Emm. That was an easy assignment for me! Next?

My prayers shifted as I prayed for the right place to work outside our home. I began a job search in March, asking God for a place where my experience and education would meld with my heart’s desire to let people know God loves them. I began by thinking I had to have a position in place before I moved. That didn’t materialize, and I found myself having to rely more and more on God to find a job as the weeks rolled by. I was praying that the position I would be led to would fit Richard Nelson Bolle’s statement: “a place where my heart’s desire meets the world’s greatest need”.

I prayed that doors would be closed for positions that were not the one He had chosen for me. By June I had completed at least thirty applications, knowing ONE was the right one that He would choose for me. My main activity during that time, even though I was busy filling out applications, printing resumes, going to interviews, was to pray for the Grace to keep my eye on the prize of knowing that He was going ahead of me, arranging for just the right job. It was necessary to continue to say no to fear when I continued through the months not finding a position, but trusting God to choose for me because I couldn’t know which one was best for me, but that He did.

After moving to Kelso June 1st, all through the month I continued to meet my financial obligations through the small reserve I had, paying my bills, spending my reserve, saying no to fear, and holding out for God’s job for me.

One of the places to which I applied was a small nonprofit agency where they were offering a position as a case manager. Since I had experience in that capacity at Big Sisters/Big Brothers in Seattle, I applied. The Executive Director called me, and wanted to talk about my financial management background as well.

She was away on a trip to Texas for a week after her call, so I waited for her return, still hunting and praying. When she returned, the last week in June, she asked if I would come to her home, as she was tired from her trip, and I picked up salad for us at the deli and met her there. I had felt for those two weeks, after our first conversation and her return, that I should postpone making any decisions until I talked to her.

In the middle of that two-hour conversation, she suddenly interrupted what we were discussing to explain that in 1987, as she prayed for a renewed surrender of her life to God’s will, she felt His hand at her back, pressing her forward and saying she should go back to school to learn how to manage nonprofit organizations, and begin a ministry for young mothers and fathers and their babies, ages 0-3. My heart leaped! This could be the place God had chosen for me!

You probably are familiar with Parents Place (www.parentsplacelongview.org), and the astounding statistics of need in our community. The Director, Judy Bailey, had come back to the work after retiring eight year earlier, the death of her husband, and problems in the management of the agency, and told me she was tired and ready to give up, and then I walked in the door.

After thirty years’ experience in social service, financial management and nonprofit organizations, I’m wearing a lot of hats at Parents Place. I’ve always believed that if we are open to it, God is always preparing us for His next assignment, and it is clear to me that God has prepared me for coming to Parents Place.

We are busy there, making applications for grants and foundational funding, renewing contracts with social service agencies, and making plans for the future of Parents Place. I believe God wants to perform a miracle of changing the Pathways 2020 statistics for Cowlitz County, and I’m happy to be part of that process. I believe God wants to continue to do miracles of changing lives, one at a time, through this little agency, and many others in our community.

I believe He very carefully and specifically led me there, so that is miraculous to me; first that He cares enough about me to arrange for this position, at this time, and secondly, that He so clearly wants to do miraculous things for very young parents and their babies, so that they will have the opportunity to know He loves them.

I hear God’s invitation: “Will you become part of the miracle?” I am humbled and filled with gratitude for His direction in placing me at this job, at home with my sweet family, and at this Church. It is very clear to me that He was walking ahead of me all along, preparing the way.

Mary Hagle

Caitlyn Shaw Memorial

Caitlyn Shaw, 10, passed from earth to heaven on July 1st. Her life will be celebrated at a memorial service at Barnes Elementary School on Friday, July 13th at 7PM. Caitlyn and her family have been attenders of East Hills, and Pastor Nick will be officiating at the service. Brown's Funeral Home is hosting an online book of memories for Caitlin. You can visit the site and see some favorite pictures and leave a message for Caitlyn's family.

 

Pirate University Graduates First Class

Our vacation Bible School, called Pirate University, is now history. We had a great week, June 25-29, with the church filled with little pirates learning about courage, following directions, teamwork, and kindness. Pastor Nick was not available for the week, but a mysterious new guy called Captain Nick Sparrow was around all week. Hmmm. There was a slight resemblance, but, no, it couldn't be that our senior pastor would really be a pirate captain, now could it? Arrrrgh.

It was great fun to be a part of this yearly event. The stage and drama set the course of excellence for the week. Here is part of an e-mail I received this week: I just wanted to say another big hootie hoot for the VBS drama team and all those who were involved with the set building for the sanctuary. I know the Wilson family did so so much and the drama and those incredible sets just really made VBS! It was fantastic!!! They were fantastic! The kids all commented that the drama and the sets were their favorite of all of VBS. How impressive and what a dedication they have!
There was also excellence behind the scenes. Our P.U. staff mornings began in Pastor Caleb's office with a prayer time. And each day waiting for us was a morning snack, beverege, verse on a scroll, and piratey treat. Thank you to Susan and Mary for your creative care.

There were about 40 volunteers who made Pirate University a success. If you were one of them I hope you have a sense of the difference you made. You answered the call and helped kids see the power and love of Jesus Christ. Behind the scenes or out front, one task or all week, you are the heartbeat of Pirate University. Thank you so much.

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The Look of the Improved Sanctuary

On June 11, the Sanctuary Improvement Team met and studied drawings, made by Bob Shaw, based on their own discussions and the feedback they have received from church attenders. Bob, an architect, chairs the meetings, and the other members are Tom Hight, Jeremy McAninch, Kirk Sherrell (an engineer), Katrina Mendenhall (an interior designer), Jean Imholte, and Leon Rennells (a recently retired City of Longview building inspector).

As you enter the East Hills building as shown on the drawings, you come in through glass doors. Changing the layout of the stairwells is not practical, but much can be done in the foyer to make it feel more open. The partial walls left over from previous remodeling are pared to only the structurally essential pieces. The large window in the rear wall of the sanctuary is replaced with two smaller ones, one on either side, and all the doors into the sanctuary are also glass. The coffee area is upgraded with a permanent counter, sink, and its own hot water heater.

The sanctuary is fully carpeted, and chairs replace the pews. Darker wainscoting comes up as far as the horizontal divider in the windows, then gives way to lighter paint. The ceiling fans are gone, and the lights replaced, probably with new pendant lights in a similar arrangement.

In the drawings, the platform is the same height, but extends about three feet farther out. The platform reaches all the way to the wall on the congregation's right, and to the edge of the outer doorway on the left. Instead of a lip, almost the entire raised area is surrounded by two steps, 18 inches wide in front and a foot on the sides. The steps in the very back of the stage are gone, and the projector is mounted from the ceiling. The overall effect is that the usable platform area gained is much larger than the seating area lost.

The railing on the loft is raised to bring it up to code, and the partial wall above it removed to improve air circulation. The handrails along the stairs leading to Kidville are replaced as well. The foyer carpet treatment continues up and down both sets of stairs and into the loft.

Although the full SIT has yet to weigh in, and many details of wiring, ventilation, and insulation are still uncertain, a majority of the team has seen the designs and is positive toward the look and general intent of them. After the full team has had its say, the next step is to get bids on the biggest expenses-- carpet, 255 chairs, and construction of the new platform-- and determine how much of the work we can do ourselves.

"We're very happy with the quality of comments we've gotten," Tom said. "The drawings are tracking pretty well with what people want."

Arrr... again!

Pirate University, our 2007 Vacation Bible School, will be in session next week, June 25-29, 9:00 to noon.

Each day, 60-80 children, entering kindergarten through fifth grade, will meet in the sanctuary, now transformed into a pirate ship with the help of some sails on loan from Bob Simmons. After a morning meeting with Captain Nick Sparrow as master of ceremonies and Captain Calebarbossa in charge of music and games, the kids will break up by age groups and take turns attending one of four different sites on each of the first four days. Pastor Ann helped plan the week's events and will help at one of the sites, and Lori Shero is VBS Director.

Never a small project, this year's VBS was made more difficult by the need to create all of the materials and lessons from scratch, rather than using one of the store-bought, canned curriculum sets as we have in the past.

"We did it all, all out of our creative team's heads," Lori said. "It's just going to teach them how to be good pirates."

The Wilson family is writing a serial drama for Pirate University, and they will also take the lead in performing it. About 20 people will work all five days, not counting others who helped beforehand or have smaller jobs. And many church members contributed small toys and other prizes.

"We are delighted with the volunteers we have," Ann said. "They are capable. Many are veterans of VBS in other years."

On the first four days, each age group will learn about one of the University's four piratical virtues: courage, teamwork, kindness, and following directions. The teamwork site has a salvation message, but because many of the young pirates will already know Christ, all sites will have value for Christian kids as well. On the last day, instead of breaking up, the kids will participate in a "pirate fair" together, including a treasure hunt at Rotary Park, the finale of the drama, and the handing out of the final loot.

"Pray for each of the kids that come," Lori asked. "Some of them don't know what they're going to be hearing. Pray for them to extend what they hear to their families."

McRae Castle Highlights Scotland Trip

Noel McRae was nice enough to share this account of his recent trip to Scotland. I know you will enjoy reading it, and maybe he and Georgia will even show you a few of their favorite pictures! ~Ann


Our Scotland Trip

Scotland was an experience that Georgia and I will treasure. We spent three weeks visiting areas that our ancestors came from or were involved with. From palaces to the McRae Castle we gained insights into what life was like centuries ago.

We planned the trip on our own. I drove the car while Georgia worked at keeping me on the "wrong" side of the road. We have vivid memories of narrow, curvy roads where we wondered if there was enough room to safely pass the on-coming vehicle.

We spent a lot of time in small more remote areas of the Scottish Highlands, hiking, and seeing small - sometimes tiny - villages.

The contrast of extreme wealth in enormous palaces to the simplicity of thatched cottages had a real impact on our perceptions of how life used to be. A highlight was to find my uncle's name on a plaque of WWI McRae heroes. This was something I had heard about for a long time. After a search at the McRae castle I found it on an outside wall.

We have lots of stories and pictures to share. We have commented that, like so many things in life, one can hear about the experiences of others, even see pictures, but until one experiences some of the sights, smells, and life, it is very difficult to feel the impact with much empathy. Seeing a picture of the Grand Canyon is nothing like standing on the edge and looking across. When we share our Scotland stories with Mike and Marilyn Perry, who have recently visited Scotland, we know they can more fully appreciate our experiences.

Georgia and I now feel like we have a little more feel for our Scottich ancestors.

Happy Feathers Day!

The final meeting of our regular Kidville season coincided with Father's Day weekend, and we took advantage of the timing. Will Dunn made birdhouse kits out of oldgrowth cedar, and our kids had a chance to build a birdhouse or bird feeder and make a Father's Day card as well. I visited the fellowship hall while the kids were hard at work. Some of the men of our church were bending over a project with a small child, helping them, encouraging and celebrating success with them! Remember the old saying, "no one stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child." That was happening this past weekend. Kids and helpers even got to eat bird's-nest snacks made by Michelle Stumbo before they left. Kids walked out with bright smiles and finished projects.

Next weekend we will go to our summer Kidville schedule. Children through age 4 will be downstairs with summer staff; older kids will be upstairs in the sanctuary with their own materials and quiet projects.

Better than Expected

Sometimes you have an idea, and it just doesn't pan out. But once in a while it works out better than you ever expected. That is how I feel this week.

In September when we were planning Kidville for the year I knew we wanted to put together a craft day for the kids as their last class of summer. We decided to help the kids make bird houses and bird feeders and to do it on Father's Day weekend. So far, so good. Now all I needed was a bird house design, wood, skill, tools, time...

Today, sitting on the counter in my office is the better-than-expected result of God's blessing on this project for our kids. When I asked Will Dunn what he thought of the idea and if he, as a home builder, had any suggestions, little did I know what he would do.

I now have 40 hand crafted bird house kits ready for Kidville citizen's to assemble this weekend; and get this: they are beautifully and precisely made from pieces of old growth cedar! They are going to make wonderful fragrant homes for our feathered friends.

This is such an encouragement to our children's ministry. It really represents our value that we will do our very best for our kids, give our very best, even precious old growth wood! Thanks Will for taking over a project that was just an idea when you got your hands on it. You have blessed all of us...and my office smells like a forest!

Stay tuned to see pictures of little home-builders at work. We'll post them here after the weekend services.

I'm Baaaack!

“So…what was it like?” That is the question I have been asked this morning, my first day back after a month long sabbatical. I could easily come up with a basketful of answers, because it was a time of variety and freedom. I read less than I expected to, prayed more, stayed up later and played Carcasonne and HeroScape addictively. I cleaned and reorganized, and sat – just sat – on the glider in the backyard, and spent a couple of days in silence at a monastery. I was not drawn to my computer, e-mail, or phone, and being unplugged fed my freedom. But there were times, especially on the weekends that I was acutely homesick for my church family, and I am so glad to be back in this place today. As I sit here watching a robin tugging on a worm in the back grass I know it is the little common things that are so dear. Yes, I loved being on sabbatical and thank the church leadership for investing in me in this generous way, but I do so love being back…at home.

Ultimate Freedom on the Field

By: Amy McAninch

With the aroma of hot dogs and french fries filling the air, the song of our National Anthem playing, and the laughter from giddy children, I come to realize baseball is in full swing and life seems complete. I stand in awe of how I love being here at the field, but this last week God showed me something much bigger, his ultimate freedom.

It was last Tuesday, a beautiful day, and as a lifegroup we decided to meet at Tam-o-Shanter Park after Haley and Ryan’s Tee-Ball game. As everyone came, one by one to the field, I became overjoyed that my lifegroup was wrapping up their lives with ours and seeing just a glimpse of what we do down at the ball fields. After Haley and Ryan’s game, the kids got to run off with Cherise to the park, while the rest of us found a covered picnic area and opened our bibles.

It was at that moment, while the wind was blowing cold and hard, and everyone was freezing, that I realized I was truly blessed. Not only by my amazing husband and our loving lifegroup, but by the fact that God has given us the freedom to worship him anywhere. Even though we were all freezing, the sun was shining and I could feel God’s glory on that field. I thought I felt complete on that ball field before, but now, I fully rejoice in the freedom that God has given me, on the field and off.

Rentz Family News

By Chuck Rentz:

Jenny and I want to keep our East Hills Family up to date with our status as C&MA Missionaries and have some new news to report. As many of you know, factors related to our son Erich’s epilepsy made it necessary to remain in the States for a second year of Home Assignment. Jenny and I prayed that God would make a way for us to stay in the States a second year without the need for Chuck to be on missionary tour for 6-8 weeks at a time. God answered our need and made it possible for us to join the ministry team here at East Hills Alliance. East Hills has been an answer to our prayers. God has been using the you, the people of East Hills to refresh us and remind us of God’s love and goodness. Jenny and I wanted to thank you for blessing us.

HERE IS THE LATEST NEWS:
March 29 – God answered our prayers
1) Erich and Emily were accepted into school in Berlin! Praise the Lord!
2) We received a call to ministry with Berlin International Church which we have accepted!
3) We received permission to move back to Berlin early to get set up prior to having our next baby in August.

April 11 – Erich’s latest Pediatric Neurology Appointment.
Jenny and I left the appointment very encouraged. Erich only showed one area of spiking in his brain during his most recent EEG. This was the best news we have had yet and though Erich will still need to be on anti-seizure medication we are hopeful for the future. Perhaps God will heal Erich in His time.

This news means that our last Sunday at East Hills will be June 3. We plan to leave June 4th and drive to Toledo, Ohio prior to our flight to Berlin hopefully on June 18th.

BABY #4 ON THE WAY!
For those of you who haven’t heard, Jenny and I are expecting a baby boy due August 22, 2007.

Pews, your days are numbered

Since March 12, a remodeling task force has been meeting to study ways of improving the church sanctuary and entryway. The basic ideas behind the remodel, and the membership of the group, came from Nick with input from the elder board. Kirk Sherrell, Bob Shaw, Tom Hight, Katrina Mendenhall, Jeremy McAninch, Leon Rennells, and Jean Imholte are on the task force and have been gathering suggestions and ideas from the congregation. Since my dad is the elder board representative on the group, I interviewed him today about the progress so far.

Doing nothing is a very poor option; the sanctuary carpeting is deteriorated, and the roofing, almost 30 years old, is already letting some small leaks through around the steeple. But just replacing worn-out materials does nothing to address flaws that hurt the sanctuary's usefulness.

"Over time, the church has changed," Tom said. "The demographics of our church are young families, primarily. It's not really representative of who we are. And the platform area really limits what we can do as far as performance arts for ministry support."

So far, a clear majority of the feedback favors upgrading both the functionality and appearance of the sanctuary. The single biggest issue is seating: immovable pews not only project a churchy attitude, they close off options for any use of the room besides traditional services. With a fully carpeted floor and moveable chairs, we could set up tables for a conference or clear the space for youth events. My dad visited Northlake Baptist, where they have been using chairs for five years, and got a good report: people say the chairs are more comfortable and have responded well.

Because it is likely that no walls will be moved, the biggest proposed structural changes are those aimed at the stage. This Sunday and Monday, the task force will be meeting with people involved in worship, drama, and other up-front activities, to get their recommendations. The main goal is to enlarge the platform itself and give musicians and performers more clear space to work in. Money is already budgeted to buy a stronger, higher-resolution projector and mount it from the ceiling, freeing up still more space and making the display itself more readable. The lighting leaves much to be desired, such as eliminating morning glare from the rear window, installing stage lights, and intensifying the ordinary room lights. Another item on the wish list is to wire all the light switches to one panel for better control.

Although the task force is directly concerned only with interior work, it may also recommend re-roofing before the sanctuary remodel begins. With the roof in its current condition, any insulation or other improvements on the ceiling could be damaged by leaks or the roof work itself. The team will also look at ways to improve the entryway inside and out, and possibly the front stairs.

"There are things we can do to make our church building more attractive and usable, but the building is a facility to be used for building up God's people. We're not doing this primarily for ourselves. It's more for people who have no relationship with Christ."

The task force envisions being ready to start work in early fall, but nothing major can happen without the approval of the administrative board and a vote of the congregation. This is not intended to be an obscure or secretive process, so feel free to approach any of the task force members with your concerns. If you would like to submit written comments or questions, feedback forms are still available in the back of the church. Anonymous feedback is acceptable, but please do put down your age and how long you've been attending EHA.

Arrr!

A very important Vacation Bible School meeting is going to happen this Thursday at the church from 6:30 to 7:30, and anyone with any interest in participating should be there.

The 2006 VBS will happen from 9:00 to noon on June 25-29. We hope to have 60 to 80 children there, a number that we have experience handling and that has matched well with the space and staff we have available. The outlines of what those kids will be doing for that week is already set. They will arrive to find the sanctuary transformed into the inside of a pirate ship. On the first four days, they will split up and rotate through four activity sites, but on Friday, they will stay in one group for a day of celebration. "Pirate University" is the theme; strangely, there is no Christian pirate curriculum available, so the VBS staff will create their own lessons and materials. The Wilson family will once again grace our stage with an episodic drama, and Caleb, who came up with the name, has already written most of the music. Every child will have a turn hearing the salvation message and be asked to respond by accepting Christ, but the other three sites will have their own response elements as well, rather than just imparting a lesson to passive listeners.

"[The staff] considers the week of VBS one of the most fun weeks of the year," Ann said. "'Pirate University' is easy and fun to promote and has a high interest level for girls and boys."

Tuesday's meeting is when we move from "what" and "when" to "who" and "how." Lori Shero, the director, needs leaders and helpers for the four sites, and the VBS "crew" has to work out which rooms to use and how to dress them as ships, ports, desert islands, and other appropriate locations.

"People will have an opportunity to hear an overview and help decide some of the details," Ann said. "We're looking for people who have a heart for kids, but some things need to be done outside of that week, or even on just one day."

Whether you have an interest in working with children, or would rather cook, pray, or help behind the scenes in other ways, this meeting is the place to find a role that suits your abilities. It's also an opportunity to give your input on the creative aspects.