I'm with the DJ | 4.21.21


Friends and family of Federal Way UMC,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus. Whew, it’s been a week hasn’t it? Some of our church folk got their first or second vaccination. Others are in the middle of grieving. Still others in our church have had recent diagnosis from their doctors.  This week, I’ve been reading over Micah 6:8…

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?”

I’d like to encourage you to read this verse or another that touches your heart. With all that is happening in our world, Scripture is a great tool for grounding. 

Speaking of things happening this week.

George Floyd and Black Lives Matter

I’ve had some conversations recently with people I care about regarding why phrases like “All lives matter” can be problematic.  I’d like to share three articles that I find to be helpful in broadening my perspective as I continue to learn.

This first article provides history, context and possible responses to problematic phrases heard today.

https://www.today.com/.../how-respond-racist-offensive...

Of course, all people are beautiful, but you have to question why people say that “black is beautiful” or “black lives matter”?’ she asks. ‘For centuries people have been taught that black people aren’t beautiful. We’re reclaiming the fact that Black bodies are beautiful and that they do matter.'

https://www.google.com/.../all-lives-matter-fake-equality/

“When someone says All Lives Matter, how does that make you feel? It feels a weapon. And it may not be a consciously wielded weapon, but it is a weapon to silence, to shut up. A weapon to undermine what Black people are trying to say.” 

https://www.oprahdaily.com/.../layla-saad-all-lives.../

“This is an article from the UK that isn’t recent, but I find to be helpful to add to the conversation and depending on some, the debate.“

https://www.google.com/.../all-lives-matter-fake-equality/

Preacher this Sunday

Our preacher this Sunday will be Reverend Terri Stewart.  Her sermon title is “On the Other Side of Fear: Ministry to the incarcerated and the courage to face the past” based on Exodus 3:1-12.  If you would like to support her ministry you can send any donations to  

Circle Faith Future

16544 191st PL NE

Woodinville, WA 98072

 

Any donation will be applied to the work that she will do with incarcerated youth.

I’ll keep you in my prayers this week.

Pastor DJ



I'm with the DJ | 4.15.21

Hello Church!

I hope that you and your loved ones have taken some time to enjoy the amazing weather this week. Plants are beginning to bloom and it feels like Spring. This Sunday we will celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday. You will have a chance to support Native American scholarships within the United Methodist Church. 

During the service, we will be sharing a theological reflection with one of our own church families sharing their faith story. The Minthorn family have been regular participants in our church since 2019. Robin and Gabe have an incredible daughter Roxie. I spent some time with their family learning a bit more about their culture, calling and story. I look forward to seeing you on the chat this Sunday at 10am!

I’m copying below some resources the Minthorn family suggested for further learning.

Land acknowledgement from the Puyallup tribe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGnac8x-SIM

A Kiowa hymn sung by a Kiowa pastor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFZEuhjZghk

Muckleshoot meditation: https://youtu.be/sekUZfkmDe4 

Additional resources from the United Methodist Church:

https://www.umc.org/en/content/native-american-ministries-sunday-ministry-article

Peace be with you,

Pastor DJ



Weekly communication from Pastor DJ 3/27/21

Friends of Federal Way UMC, 


Can you believe that Spring is almost here? In talking with some of you, I’m learning that this is a good time to start working on our yards. Speaking of yards, thanks so much to our trustees and many volunteers who continue to take great care of our church property, flowers, playground and plants. This Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday. It’s the day that we remember Jesus entering into Jerusalem on a donkey. There’s more to the story and I hope you join us as we study this from the perspective of the Gospel of John. With Holy Week starting this, I want to give you a heads up of awesome things happening at our church. Please note that we have made an adjustment to our Good Friday service to begin at 7pm.


Sunday, March 28  10am  Palm Sunday

Thursday, April 1 7pm Holy Thursday service

Friday, April 2nd  7pm Good Friday service

Sunday April 4th 10am  Easter!


On Easter Sunday, we will also be celebrating the sacrament of communion. So please be ready with sacred items in your home that represent the bread and cup. Please continue to pray for our confirmands as they learn more about the Christian faith and their roles. 


I look forward to seeing you all. Stay safe, wear your masks and share God’s love!



Peace be with you, 


Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ | March 18, 2021

Friends of Federal Way UMC, 


I pray that you got to enjoy the few days of sunshine. What a joy it is to feel the warmth of the sun! This Sunday is our 5th week of Lent. With Holy Week starting March 28th, I want to give you a heads up of awesome things happening at our church. 


Sunday, March 28  10am  Palm Sunday

Thursday, April 1 7pm Holy Thursday service

Friday, April 2nd  Noon Good Friday service

Sunday April 4th 10am  Easter!


On Easter Sunday, we will also be celebrating the sacrament of communion. So please be ready with sacred items in your home that represent the bread and cup. Please continue to pray for our confirmands as they learn more about the Christian faith and their roles. 


I look forward to seeing you all. Stay safe, wear your masks and share God’s love!



Peace be with you, 


Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ February 24

Church,


This weekend we continue our Lenten series. If you haven’t picked up your devotional guide at church. There is still time. We will be leaving copies outside the church doors during regular office hours. Please be sure to save your “Jesus has risen” temporary tattoos for Holy Week. 

I hope that you have also checked in with your community group as well. If you are unsure who is in your community group. Please check in with Janet G. yellowhouse4@comcast.net. 

In the comments section below, please respond to the question of the week. 

What’s a favorite meal you have been making during this pandemic?


Peace be with you church,


Rev. DJ

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I'm with the DJ 2.16.2021

The Season of Lent is upon us. Tomorrow at 7pm we will offer an online Ash Wednesday service. Click here to engage in worship, see our bulletin and learn about other ways we are serving our community.  For each household, we have a bag that has a vile of ashes for our Ash Wed. service. In addition, we are providing a daily devotional for the 46 days of Lent. Our theme this year is Again and Again, through a resource called Sanctified Art. It’s a great theme and resource that I’m looking forward for all of us to engage in together. I also want to encourage you to check out this video to get excited about this season as well. It’s Kid President and the first few minutes are fantastic. Here is the link. 

For this season of Lent, Christians often give up something in order to retrain and recalibrate our muscle memory to become more aware and in tune with God. Would you please email me dj@revdj.com or share on our church webpage what you are doing for this season of Lent? This is a great way to encourage one another and to practice healthy accountability as well. 

Peace be with you this week and I pray you are well. 

I’m adding a couple pictures to this weekly post. One is of the Lenten bags you can pick up at church. The other is a game the kids and I played called “2021 Winter Chicken Olympics”, where our chickens participated in separate events for medals and treats.



Pastor DJ

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