Summer Pathways 2021

PATHWAYS FOLLOWING JESUS ONE STEP AT A TIME Summer Quarter JUL-AUG 2021 TIME TO COME TOGETHER!

Stepping Out! NEW WAYS TO REACH OUR COMMUNITY

That Sounds Fun! FIND WAYS TO REFRESH

In This Issue Opportunities ConneXions Bible Study for All Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study Men’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study Women’s Summer Fellowship Women’s Cancer Support Group Faith & Literature

UPPC STORY PROJECT BLAKE GEYEN

Hi Friends!

Summer is he for thousands our way back together.

As our city, co also celebratin unique oppor series is calle a balanced, a continue to fo

That Sounds Fun!

Summer Activities Learn more and sign up at UPPC.org/events

“Summer is an opportunity to continue our discipleship in fun and creative ways.”

MIKE MOFFITT ASSOCIATE PASTOR

ere! On June 27, we celebrated a unique year of discipleship. Groups and classes met s of hours via Zoom, we worshiped together online, and we slowly but surely made k to meeting in person for worship, prayer, and other ways to learn and grow in Christ

ountry, and world continue to strive for complete healing from the pandemic, we are ng the beginning of summer. At UPPC, summer isn’t an “off season,” but rather a rtunity to continue our discipleship in fun and creative ways. Our summer teaching ed “That Sounds Fun,” and we’ll be learning about how the Bible points us toward abundant, and joyful life. We hope you enjoy this summer issue of Pathways as you ollow Jesus one step at a time.

In Grace and Peace,

Pastor Mike

OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT Connexions Sundays | 9:30-10:30am

Women’s Cancer Support Group Tuesdays | 1-2:30pm

We’ll go through a book of the Bible, pray, and have fellowship together! Come any time.

Meeting in Room 342 (hallway behind offices)

The Women’s Cancer Support Group consists of women who are in the midst of treatment for cancer and women who have survived cancer. We welcome women that attend UPPC plus women from the community. We are there to support each other and watch the Holy Spirit at work among us. Contact Sue Walen, frogfingers@comcast.net.

Meeting via Zoom

Bible Study for All Wednesdays | 10-11:30am Gather with Gwenn and friends for this mid-week time of study and fellowship. All are welcome!

No registration needed, come when you can!

Meeting in Room 121

Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study Mondays | 6:30-7:45am Start your week with a fellowship of men devoted to living a life of prayer, fellowship, and truth through scripture.

Meeting in Room 121

Men’s Wednesday Morning Bible Study Wednesdays | 9-10am Join a mid-week pick-me-up of prayer, fellowship, and truth through scripture. Email Bob with questions: bobmohr1942@ gmail.com.

Meeting at a local restaurant

Women’s Summer Fellowship Thursdays 9:30-11am An informal gathering of women desiring to pray together and explore the promises of God. All praises and requests are welcome.

Meet in Fellowship Hall, no registration

Faith & Literature Wednesday August 4 | 7-9pm Participants discuss the themes and ideas from a selected novel, biography, or other work of literature. We have a lively and respectful discussion. Through the lens of our Christian faith as well as the lens of great literature, we search for meaning in our lives. Discussion will be about Maya Angelou’s novel, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Participants are asked to read this book before attending the gathering. Email Marion for details, davemannie@comcast.net Meeting in person, off-site

STEPPING OUT Sharing the love of Jesus one step at a time

June 20 was World Refugee Day, and this year’s theme was “Together we heal, learn, and shine.” I can’t think of a more fitting theme as we enter this summer. We all (refugee and non-refugee alike) need to heal and learn from the past 18 months so that we come out on the other side shining. Yet the most important word in this entire theme is “together.” To heal, we need others to help us in the process. To learn and grow, we need the wisdom and experiences of others. And we shine when the image of God is clearly reflected among us all, in all its diversity.

While many of us will be spending some much-needed time away with our friends and families this summer, there are several opportunities for us to engage with our community in between vacations. These are great opportunities to expand where we seek healing and learning and whom we invite into the process.

May the image of God be reflected more clearly in all of us.

Lisa Woicik Lisa Woicik Outreach Minister

REFUGEES

FOOD ASSISTANCE

New Good Neighbor Team: Every minute, 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution, or terror. World Relief is expecting an influx of refugee arrivals starting this fall, and we are forming a Good Neighbor Team (GNT) who can walk alongside one newly arrived refugee family this fall. Learn more at UPPC.org/events.

INFO SESSION: August 8 | 12:30 pm | Wayside and Zoom

Without access to the free or reduced lunches offered during the school year, many children in our community go hungry.

Check out these opportunities to provide free meals to families over the summer:

Safe Haven Weekend Team: UPPC’s Safe Haven Weekend Team stands ready on an assigned weekend or weekday to house (in a home or hotel), feed, and transport refugees released from the Northwest Detention Center to the airport or bus station. The team is looking for new members willing to provide one of these services one day/weekend per month. Contact Kathryn Castle (info@safehaventacoma.org) for info on how you can get involved.

2021 Summer Meal Distribution: Sign up to hand out meals on Fridays this July and August at UPPC.org/events.

2021 Summer Meal Preparation: Volunteers are needed to help prepare meals that will be delivered to families in August. More info UPPC.org/events.

BACK TO SCHOOL School Supply Drive, Aug 1-15: Help ensure kids receive the supplies they need to return to school. Grab a supply list and drop off purchased supplies at UPPC by August 15. More info at UPPC.org/events Back to School Fair, Aug 18-21. Families Unlimited Network is looking for volunteers to help distribute school supplies to families Aug 18-21. More info to come in August.

Blake Geyen

#UPPCStoryProject

Blake Geyen began attending UPPC in July of 2018. He jumped right into our community - doing scripture readings during services, greeting people at the Name Tag Sunday table, and attending The Den and Spark Young Adults small groups.

His disability causes him to think about things that most people don’t need to think about. He believes that God wanted him to live to teach people about those with disabilities. “For example,” he says, “curb ramps are essential for wheelchair users like myself to get on and off of the sidewalk. If just one intersection doesn’t have a curb cut, we must find a different path that’s accessible.”

Most people underestimate Blake’s abilities and intelligence because he uses a speech device and wheelchair. “They are tools that I need to use in order to live a successful life. Needing to use them doesn’t diminish my abilities.”

Blake and his mom, Jill, are hosting Train Watching and a trip to the Harbor History Museum this summer. Learn more about those opportunities at UPPC.org/events, and join them for some summer fun!

That Sounds Fun! This summer we’re looking for ways to renew and refresh our spirits - including getting outside and fellowship. Pick some opportunities for fun and dive on in!

JULY

July 2 - Train Watching, Titlow Park Pier July 4 - Wear your favorite baseball swag to church July 11 - Wear/bring something you got on vacation July 17 - Chambers Bay Walk, 9am July 18 - Bliss Ice Cream truck after services July 19 - Playground Meetup: Kandle Park July 24 - Harbor History Museum, Gig Harbor July 25 - Doughnut Sunday July 26 - Playground Meetup: Playground by the Sound July 28 - Chambers Bay Walk, 6:30pm

Find details for activities at UPPC.org/events

AUGUST August 1 - Show school spirit - wear your favorite school shirt to church August 2 - Hiking: Fremont Lookout August 8 - Outdoor Games at church August 15 - Wear Rainiers swag to church, then join UPPC at the game August 16 - Hiking: Grand Park (via Lake Eleanor) August 16 - Playground Meetup: Titlow Park August 22 - Book Swap Sunday August 23 - Playground Meetup: Fort Steilacoom Park August 29 - Show your football spirit at church August 30 - Hiking: Mazama Ridge Loop via Lakes Trail

SEPTEMBER

Sept 5 - F.U.N. Sunday - bring food bank donations to church

Coming Soon...

Fishing, BBQ, Basketball, Bowling, Golf, Kayaking

Do you have a hobby and want to invite others to join you?

Contact Kate at kevarts@uppc.org.

UP PC Staff Pastors Rev. Aaron Stewart Senior Pastor Rev. Mike Moffitt Associate Pastor Worship & Music Rev. Dr. Diana Greene Minister of Worship Loren Tucker Director of Cont. Worship & Technical Arts Melinda Tucker Director of Contemporary Worship Dan Konicek Director of Media Lisa Todd Director of Music & Arts Institute Care & Outreach Rev. Dr. Martha Greene Parish Associate Jill McMullen Minister of Care and Welcome and Connect Kathy Goertz Welcoming Coordinator Lisa Woicik Minister of Outreach & Mission Youth & Children Rob Clark Minister of Youth & Children Robin Fawcett Director of Middle School Julie Mangrum Director of Elementary Laura Richardson Director of Early Childhood Lexi Barnett Y&C Administrative Assistant Operations Mike Bates Executive Minister Kate Evarts Director of Communications Janie Brooksher Scheduler Kaylee Fowler Financial Administrator Kristen Laramie Stewardship Coordinator Campus Care Taylor Conrad Campus Care & Wayside Café Manager Chuck Benedict Lead Custodian Mawiir Deng Custodian Chris Lange Custodian

UPPC ELDERS Session Support Lori Jacoby Continuity & Communication Bob Freeborn Continuity & Communication Sven Nelson Nominating Carolyn Rzesutek Nominating Worship & Discipleship Nancy Keay Worship Ross Parker Worship Leslie Hensley Discipleship Rick Todd Discipleship Care & Outreach Emily Bosh Outreach & Missions Jim Lineweaver Outreach & Missions Marty Sanbeck Welcome & Connect Jim Goertz Welcome & Connect Karen Crosby Care Mitch Sagers Care Youth & Children Holly Bray Youth & Children Mary Pubols Youth & Children Operations Grant Blinn Human Resources Kathleen George Human Resources Cynthia Darland Finance Krista Wallace Finance Campus Care Joel Postma Facilities Dan Small Facilities

The Session, comprised of elders, serves as the governing body of the church. Elders are elected, volunteer positions within the church body who help facilitate the leadership and direction of the church.