let the sun shine!

how Shawn is spending her summer vacation!

Wow, summer finally came!  Hope you all have some awesome plans for the next few months!  And if they don’t already, those plans should include helping out with the Super Summer 4 Kids.  Here are the facts, Jack:

The dates are August 1-5 from 6 – 8 pm. (Volunteers needed at 5:30 pm). We need everyone who is able to volunteer somewhere. Group leaders, station leaders (crafts, story time), registration, decorations, kitchen help, security, AV, facilities, donation, set-up and clean-up. There’s a place for everyone! All volunteers need to be Child Safety Screened (requires 6 month membership at ALC), so see Bree Roberts for a screening packet. Visit the SS4K table in the lobby for Volunteer Registration forms and check out the Donation Board to see what you can bring. Start registering your kids now – forms are available in the lobby.

Last week, God rocked the house and four people got baptized!  One of the coolest things about having an awesome clothes closet is that you never have to go home wet!

 

River joining the family!

I would post more pictures, but I seriously have the hardest time with pictures and WordPress.  If any of you read this and can help me out, please let me know!

 

Still looking for more volunteers for ShirtOffMyBack.  We need help organizing, sorting, display and finding outlets for our awesome clothes.  Right now the closet is only open Sunday mornings from 9 to 10, then for a half hour after church.  Otherwise, it’s by appointment only.  You can contact Shawn to set something up.  Salyne@hotmail.com

 

FAMILY BUSINESS:  Nancy Boxell’s car was recently totaled and she  a used 2008 car or so, under 50,000 miles.  Please email her at nboxell.1@juno.com if you can help her out.

 

Get out today and catch some Sonshine!

God is doing a new thing!

sweet fellowship!

First of all, I want to thank everyone who helped with the Ladies’ Tea Lite!  We had a fabulous time and were so blessed by Sally’s testimony!  A great way to greet the spring and summer season!

Our wonderful speaker and friends

helpful men folk

Secondly, here’s an update on the ShirtOffMyBack ministry.  It is growing in leaps and bounds!  We’ve absorbed the clothes closet that was formerly at Parkrose High School and have already had some of their students come and “shop” at our closet!  Julie, who runs the teen parent program at Parkrose, brought four students over last Tuesday.  I baked chocolate chip cookies for the occasion, and we all had a blast.  In fact, the students had so much fun, they asked if they could come back and help sort clothes next week.  I think they will come Tuesday a.m. if any of you want to show up for the fun!

Another cool development with SOMB is a prom dress/formal attire outreach.  Some women from our church have a vision to offer free prom dresses and other formal wear to students in our community.  They hope to put on several events each year, where the girls can come try on dresses, have them altered, etc.–using our building!  Their plan is to encourage girls to donate the dresses they wore for this year’s prom–and then get a voucher for a “new” dress for the next event.

If you’d like to help with any aspect of the ShirtOffMyBack ministry (we always need sorters!), let me know!

Marvelous Misty!

He is risen, indeed!

What an awesome time of celebration we had on Sunday!  Three baptisms, one easter egg hunt, a yummy brunch and rockin’ worship!

Here are some pictorial highlights of the day:

Cherry is a new creation!

Katie's sweet surrender!

Dekar girls helping with the egg hunt

the most triumphant brunch!

Miss Ramona's first Easter--He is risen, indeed!

the thot plickens . . .

OK, so God is moving at warp-speed with this whole Parkrose church/Parkrose high school partnership thing!  Greg and I met with Travis, the S.U.N. guy, at the high school today.  And Travis introduced us to several other teachers who are interested in utilizing our services.

For starters, the high school is turning over their clothes closet project to us!  They are literally emptying out their clothes closet and giving the contents to ShirtOffMyBack!  They are going to pass out fliers in the school district and help point people our way.

How awesome is that?

The teacher who runs the teen mom’s program–Julie–asked Greg to teach a Love and Logic class in May.  She also asked if anyone at our church could offer one of the moms childcare for the next few weeks–so she can graduate.  There is also a huge need to tutors at the school right now.

Could the Lord be calling YOU to get involved in either of these ways?  Let me or Greg know if you can help!

It was so fun today to get a tour of the school and see the teacher’s excitement about working with us!  Can’t wait to see how this plot develops . . .

sorting clothes

FEEDBACK FROM THE GCC YOUTH GROUP

Not only did the lovely folks from Glenwood Community Church serve us last Saturday, they said really nice things about their experience.  Here’s a sample of their feedback, sent by Youth Pastor Nathan:

Thanks so much for letting us partner with you in the ministry in Parkrose. Our students had such a great morning at the church and in the neighborhood. Thanks again for the lunch! I heard it was amazing. 

Here are reflections from a few students who were there:

“I had a beautiful time serving with people who had hearts for God and were eager to serve their community. I love how God opened my heart up, so that I could open other people’s hearts.” 

“It was a great experience to see how the community responded to the clothing closet opportunity! Talking with the people in the neighborhood was encouraging.”

“I thought the teen mom program at Abundant Life was especially powerful—so those young girls would not feel judged but rather an overflow of love from the Christian community.” 

“I really enjoyed this experience. It showed how much it helps to volunteer and help people and have fun while doing it. God can do great things in churches that are willing to serve their communities.” 

“I liked talking with some people in the community about their past life and about God. It just goes to show what comes around goes around. That includes love! We come to give expecting nothing in return, and the ones we were giving to give back.” 

LADIES’ TEA LITE REMINDER!!!!!!

Only two more weeks to sign up for this special event!  We’ll be selling tickets in the foyer after church Sunday.  Bring a friend–Sally’s story is one you won’t want to miss.  

We can still use volunteers for set up, kitchen prep and clean up.  Talk to Misty if you can help.

we get by with a little help from our friends . . .

The GCC team

This past Saturday, 20 awesome folks from Glenwood Community Church in Vancouver showed up bright and early to serve the Parkrose campus.  The team divided and half helped Jim Gibson and Scott Carlson with grounds maintenance (make sure you “ooh” and “aah” over the pretty flowers on Sunday!) and the rest passed out ShirtOffMyBack fliers and helped me sort the overflow clothing.

These guys (and gals) were a tremendous blessing!  The team that passed out fliers came back with some cool stories to share.  One lady who received a flier decided–right then and there–to clean out her own closet and sent armfuls of clothes (hangers and all) back to the church with several students!

Glenwood Community Church group–you rock!

MAYOR SAM ADAMS ASKS CHURCHES FOR HELP WITH SCHOOLS!

God is opening for Parkrose church to partner with Parkrose High School.  My blog has the details of our meeting with the Mayor and the awesome connections Greg and I made last week!  The S.U.N. coordinator showed up for a tour of ShirtOffMyBack on Monday and Greg and I will go check out the high school campus on Thursday.

Please  be praying for opportunities to impact the community through these connections!

“No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like the scene on Calvary.

Nowhere does the soul find such consolation as on that very spot where misery reigned,

where woe triumphed, where agony reached its climax.” C. H. Spurgeon

 

spring things . . .

Sorry about the lack of posts, I’ve been on vacation and nanny duty

ShirtOffMyBack has a nifty logo (thanks Mel!)–and fliers you can pass out in the community!

The repurposed clothing closet is open Sunday mornings and Monday afternoons.  Let me know if you’d like to help with this ministry!  Donations can be dropped off at the Happy Valley or Parkrose campus.

If you know anyone who can use clothes, please take them and pass them on.  Freely we have received and freely we will give.

LADIES’ TEA LITE THIS MONTH!

Ladies, don’t miss the “Ladies’ Tea Lite” on April 30th, from 1-3 p.m.  Not only will there be great food and fellowship, you’ll also be encouraged and delighted by Sally Sieh’s testimony.  She will be sharing her journey out of depression into joy–and blessing us  with her musical abilities as well!

Tickets (a mere $8.00) will be on sale in the foyer after church on Sundays.  We need help with set-up, serving and clean up.  Again, contact me (shawnalyne@gmail.com) if you can help.

SWAP OUT SUNDAY . . .

George will be preaching live at Parkrosia this Sunday, while Greg will be elocuting at the Happy Valley campus.  So, where ever you show up, it will be a party

EASTER SERVICES:

We will have TWO services on Easter Sunday, at 9 and 11 with an awesome brunch in-between; downstairs at the Life Cafe’.

a big shout out to the elves . . .

. . . who moved the shelves into place and filled them with neatly folded clothes in the ShirtOffMyBack room! Thank you, gracias, and however you say thanks in elf language. What a blessing to walk in on Monday and find the closet almost ready to open its doors to the community!

Actually, the ShirtOffMyBack is open to all Parkrose peeps every Sunday. The room isn’t locked, feel free to take a peek–and take what you need. We have oodles of baby clothes, jackets, shoes, etc. Grab a bag of stuff for people you know who are in need . . . “freely you have received, freely give . . .”

Mel Guisto, graphic artist extraordinaire over at the Happy Valley campus, is working on a logo for this ministry.  It will look something like this, but with the birds holding a shirt between their beaks instead of a banner.  (And it won’t be tatooed on someone’s body).  The shirt will say:  ShirtOffMyBack Repurposed Clothing.  (If I drew it, the birds would look like pterodactyls fighting over a giant marshmallow).

Once the logo is finished, we can make signs for the closet and flyers to distrubute at Parkrose high and around the neighborhood.

Any volunteers?

LADIES’ TEA DATE SET!!!!

Ladies, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 30th, which will be the first annual Parkrose tea.  My good friend, Sally Sieh, will be speaking on overcoming depressing and finding joy.  She has an incredible story–plan now to bring a friend or neighbor.  Tickets will go on sale the end of March and seating will be limited.

Introducing “Greg’s List”

You’ve heard of Craig’s List, right? Well, I thought it would be fun for Parkrose to have it’s own version of this online market place.  And what better name than “Greg’s List“?

Check out the Greg’s List page (at the top of the blog).  I already have some items posted.  If you have stuff you want to sell, give away, trade, etc., email me (shawnalyne@gmail.com) and I will get it posted asap!  Pictures are always fun, too.

Anyone looking to get rid of a chicken coop?

ShirtOffMyBack

The ShirtOffMyBack ministry is progressing nicely!  Thanks to generous donations from Parkrose peeps and the Uganda team, the closet is filling back up again!  Racks and shelves are finished and we just need to sort through the donated items and hang, fold and display (perhaps a little washing and ironing, too).

If you’d like to help with ShirtOffMyBack, contact me at shawnalyne@gmail.com.

Bree could still use about 12 more helpers for the children’s ministry.  I interviewed Jen Proehl, one of our awesome teachers, about the joys of telling little ones about Jesus.  She said the kids are a blast and the benefits are out of this world!

Speaking of amazing kids, here’s Quinn Roberts sharing a bit of what she’s learned in Sunday School!

the shirtoffmyback . . .

is the name of our clothes closet!  Now we need to come up with a logo to match the incredible coolness of the name!

Picture your awesome clothes hanging here!

Racks are set up, shelving is made and rounders are coming . . . but our cupboards are bare!  Spring is just around the corner–I promise!–so I encourage you all to go through your coats, blankets, sweaters, etc. and donate what you don’t need to this worthy cause.

Pray that the Lord will use the ShirtOffMyBack ministry to impact the Parkrose community–and beyond!

Baptism Sunday rocked the house! Seriously,the joyful energy exuded

pre-baptism prayer

by our little worship band must get the stodgiest of angels dancing!  And heaven and earth partied big-time yesterday when Jestin Arnold was baptised into Christ!

Welcome to the family, Jestin!

Chief was able to help transport a trailer full of clothes, furniture, blankets and other items to the White Swan reservation.  He interviewed two sisters who lost their homes in the fire.  In this video, Barbara shares their narrow escape:

Keep these precious folks in prayer as they rebuild their community!

Ladies, mark April 30th on your calendars–it will be our annual Ladies Tea!  My good friend, Sally Sieh, will be sharing her amazing journey out of depression into God’s joyous light!  More details to follow!

Would love to have your comments on the 23rd Psalm series!  What was your favorite verse?  What did you learn about this passage that you didn’t previously know?  How did the Lord impact your life through the series!

Have a blessed week, Parkrosia!

how many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

Clothes closet update!!!

Racks and shelving were supposed to be installed today–and a few names have trickled in:

“Shirt Off My Back”

“Retread Threads“

“Crow’s Closet”

If those names don’t float your boat, then shoot me your ideas!  Let’s name it and claim it and get this ministry rolling!

Chief Theo

I spoke with Chief Theo on Sunday and he was heading to the White Swan reservation today with our donations. Chief is from that Nez Perce reservation and still has family ties.  I asked him to take some pics and bring back stories of what the Lord is doing there.

a giggle of girls!

Three young ladies gave me their take on the Sunday schedule–kids staying upstairs for worship before heading down to their classes.  I got two thumb’s up, although Joeine DeKar wanted to make sure they didn’t miss out on the great stuff they were learning.

Then the girls entertained me their favorite knock knock jokes, which strangely enough, were the same jokes I told when I was their age!  I shot back with MY favorite joke of all time (OK, it’s short and the only one I can ever remember), and the girls just sat and blinked owlishly at me.

Maybe I’ll get a laugh out of you all . . .

Q:  How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

A:  One–but it has to really WANT to change!

(Hmmm,  this could be the official joke of the Genesis Change Process)

Quinn's boots are made for walkin'

I will close out this random blog with a photo of an extremely cute and well-dressed Quinn Roberts.  I asked her to sing me a song about Jesus on Sunday, but she decided to show off her stylin’ red cowboy boots instead.

Just as well . . . I haven’t figured out how to upload videos yet!

But when I do, look out Parkrosia!