I’m not quite sure how it happened. It was a nice summer evening. We wanted to get to know our neighbors. We walked across the street to the annual neighborhood homeowner’s meeting and when we left 40 minutes later, I was the newest member of the homeowner’s association board of directors.

What was I thinking! Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Ok, I jest just a bit.

But in the last week, I’ve been watching emails fly back and forth as other directors and interested parties battle over the particulars of allowable shingle colors and improvements to mailboxes and various "sins" of homeowners who have not requested permission as required by the covenants or have done more than they first indicated.

The tone of some of the emails could not be any clearer, even if a soundtrack of grumbling and swearing were attached as an audio file. And while a few decisions may come about the divide between neighbors seems only to grow.

‘Tis the season?

‘Tis the age?

Our current cultural and world climate seems to highlight all the ways we are not only different, but estranged from one another. I see it in a macro level as political parties battle against one another, as walls between classes and cultures grow taller and wider, as religious groups attack each other with remarkable venom and by subtle implication those who are different. I see it on a micro level as family members and friends squabble and struggle to remember what binds them together. We approach holiday times with family with a mixture of anticipation and foreboding. We love being together, as long as it is not for too long.

January 18-24 has been designated as a week of prayer to celebrate Christian unity. The origins of the celebration date back to 1908, but the desire is embodied in the prayer of our Lord in John’s gospel, and by inference in the very character of God who is one.

The case for Christian unity is strong: The baptism into which we have been baptized is not Presbyterian or Lutheran or Catholic. It is Christian. We are baptized into Christ’s life. We are no longer our own, but belong to God who has claimed us.

The table around which we gather does not belong to Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson or Pope Benedict or Scott Anderson. It is Christ’s table and there, as we gather around it, we hear and see one table and one loaf and one cup.

The Session has designated January as a month to celebrate the unity we share with other local churches. This will be reflected in our worship as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper each of the Sundays and welcome pastors from other local churches to preach and preside over the table. You will meet Rev. Ken Colman from Renton United Christian on January 8^th, Rev. Carol Kirkpatrick from Kent First Presbyterian on January 15^th, and Rev. Bob Lewis from Nativity Lutheran on January 22^nd. I, meanwhile, will rotate to each of their churches during those weeks, with the exception of January 22^nd when I will be on vacation. Rob McClure has graciously agreed to fill my spot there.

In addition on the evening of January 29th at 7:00pm all four of our congregations will gather at Kent First Presbyterian Church for a combined service to celebrate Christian Unity. Jack Sullivan, regional minister and president of the Northwest region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be our guest speaker and our choirs and bell choirs will combine for some wonderful music and celebration

At the Lord’s Table is an invitation to practice (i.e., rehearse) our unity with one another. We begin at the table by giving thanks, and we first share our deepest hope: "The Lord be with you, and also with you." As you share those words with pastors from other congregations in January, may it truly be

prayer for God’s presence and peace and wholeness with them and the faith communities they represent. And may the presence of our Lord at his table enact the truth proclaimed in that wonderful Christmas hymn "O Holy Night": when he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

For we who call ourselves Christian, there is no foundation whatsoever on which to build a wall of separation. In fact, our unity with Christ seals our unity with all creation, and in our solidarity is the foundation on which our hope of peace with one another, and even our neighbors in our homeowner’s associations are built.

Grace and Peace,

My name is Kim Ellenberg and I have been married to Ed for 14 years, though we’ve been together for 23 years!!! We have a 10 year old daughter "Amy". Some of you may know her as she attended VBS here at St. Andrew for the last two years. We have a 1 year old puppy "Daisey".

I was born in Seattle and lived in Renton until I was 5 years old. We then moved to Montreal, Canada where I started Kindergarten and lived for 2 years. Next we moved to San Diego, California and lived for 2 years. Finally we moved back to Renton where I went to Briarwood Elementary School, the same school that our daughter now attends. I graduated from Hazen High School.

After high school I was employed by my Mother at her Art School/Picture Frame Shop where I assisted with painting classes and became very interested in art. I also did landscaping. Next, I was employed at the Levolor Blind Company to run the Venetian Blind Assembly Machine and later became 2^nd shift superviser. Finally I was employed at Boeing in Everett where I worked as a Tool Room Clerk/Tool Room Runner for three years. I injured my lower back (not on the job) and had to have 3 surgeries, just 5 weeks before our wedding in 1991.

I was baptized as a child at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Ed and I were married there as well. We now attend East Renton Community Church.

We had our home built in 1994 on the property right next to the house that I spent years growing up in. This is on the outskirts of Renton in the Briarwood area.

That is where I met my good friend Lisa Phillips. Our daughters were in pre-school together. I was a stay at home mother for years, and decided that when Amy was in school full time that I would get a part-time job. Lisa mentioned that she knew of a part-time job that was available and she would check into getting me an application. I applied and thankfully was hired in February of 2003 here at St. Andrew.

I am very involved at Amy’s school. I have been the room parent in her class every year. I volunteer in her class every Friday. My "spare" time is spent taking Amy to her Soccer, Basketball, Dance, Choir, Drawing events/classes. I love spending as much time as I can with my wonderful parents, sister, brother and their families. We all live within 10 miles of each other. I love to shop, paint, work in the yard, go camping and just cherish every minute that I have with my family.

Finally…I feel that I am so blessed to have my job here at St. Andrew, to work with a wonderful Pastor, and such a nice congregation of people with so many that I now can call my friends! THANK YOU!

Yes indeed, Tim Ramsey presented this idea to Session on Monday the 12^th of December and it was approved unanimously. So as of December 14th Pack #492 officially exists and meets at our church! What a Pack this is going to be, we are looking for all boys and parents, interested in joining Cub Scouts to contact Tim Ramsey at (425) 271-6410 or by e-mail standrewpack492@comcast.net so we can get this Pack up and rolling towards fun, games, and scouting excitement.

We will be holding a parent / scout meeting to introduce scouting to you and your families and I will have some handouts as well that will help you with any questions that you may have. This will be a meeting for both boys and their parents; we’ll also discuss the parents and boys rolls in scouting and what this program can mean to you and your son. I look forward to meeting with you all and to some super great scouting functions to come.

Tim Ramsey

Cub Master / Cub Scout Pack #492

Cell: (425) 736-5209

www.saxmasterswoodwindrepair.com/pack492.htm

An Invitation to All

St. Andy’s Gals invites all of St. Andrew to hear LueRachelle Atkins and others speak about the projects of African American Kenyan Women’s Interconnect (AAKEWO). AAKEWO is on a mission to build relationships with women in Kenya to positively impact:

-The education of the girl child and vulnerable children

-HIV/AIDS education

-Water and solar energy resources

-Economic development

Their projects include supporting the Alta-Brim Orphanage in Kisumu, provide water tanks and other items in the village of Kanyamfwa, purchase a cooking stove in the Kangemi School, provide funding for text books and school supplies for the Mombasa Primary School and provide scholarships and books for the Ombogo Girls Academy. The projects will be described in more detail at the meeting.

LueRachelle and others will be guests of the St. Andrew Women’s monthly meeting on Monday, January 16, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. There will be a potluck dinner followed by the presentation about the work of AAKEWO. Men and women of St. Andrew are invited.

By Alma-jean Marion

Happy New Year Members and Friends

of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church! Welcome to 2006!

Through the years, I have always asked myself where will I be this time next year; I’ve guessed wrong every year. Each year

has been full of surprises, unanticipated events over which I have no recollection of having been included in the planning process.

Sure, I’ve made and met some personal goals, however, it has been the unplanned part of my life that has generated the excitement bringing about tremendous changes

in me year after year. "Into each life must come some pain", it has been said. I’ve seen the pain throughout world and here at

home. However, through it all – with hurt, pain, loss, fear,

doubt, joy, excitement, the presence of the Holy Spirit has consumed my soul, and there remains a peace from within that I believe we may acquire through faith in God. There is such a feeling of complete freedom from despair and a compelling desire to turn the pages of 2006 and see what the Lord has planned. 2005 was an interesting and challenging year; we’ve all come a long way. Now there is a new year offering hope

and opportunity.

Here is a portion of one of my favorite poems entitled, "God Knows" by author Minnie Louise Haskins:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,

425-226-5547

Is there any wonder why I come away from this

Christmas Season and this year as high spirited as I am?

The spirit of the Season of Christmas was within and around St. Andrew P.C. The decorations (thank you Lezle Resor et al), the outpouring of giving to the needy

(the Giving Tree – O.E.C., Christmas Joy Offering, Poinsetta Memorials, St. Andy’s Gals Holiday Bazaar), the fellowship (Sr./Retires Christmas Sing-A-Long, the meaningful worship services, "The Christmas Gift", candlelight services) and the inclusiveness I’ve witnessed over this past season would bring joy to anyone’s heart.

The effort to provide a welcoming Christian environment for the children is surely to be blessed by God.

I want to hold up and lift up all of our members for their faithfulness to the work of our Lord. In particu-

lar this month I want to hold up the quiet work "St. Andrews Prayers". This has been a very challenging season of work for our Deacons and especially Sharon Griffith as she dutifully keeps up the ongoing prayers for all who call upon her in God’s name – this is a very tough job. WE have not only been blessed by Sharon, God has also provided for a Pat Sharpe to "hear our prayers".

Pat Sharpe, who has been under duress during these holidays with concerns about members of her immediate family, keeps those prayers coming when Sharon is away. There are members (too many to list here) of St. Andrew that are always giving of themselves even when they are in need themselves. They are always there, not expecting any recognition. To some of us, it is not what you say; it is what you do.

The Perspective is always in need of a fresh look,

feature stories, ideas and suggestions. This publication is the end product of what the members contribute. I welcome you to share whatever you wish to offer. New resources are on the horizon earmarked in this new year that will make this newsletter even more interesting and informative. More information will be forthcoming.

Greet 2006 in prayer and love! Begin each day with the question: "What, Lord, are WE going to do with this day" and have faith in him always as he directs your life.

Office Hours: M-Th., 10:00 am-1:30 pm

Kim Ellenberg, Secretary

Fri., 9:30-11:00 am – Mary Lou Gilbert

Sunday Worship: 10:30 am

Sunday School (all ages): 9:30 am

Perspective Newsletter Staff:

Editor: Alma-jean Marion

Reporters: JoAnn Peck, Lois Summers & Sharon Griffith 14

Your help is needed and appreciated even more during these cold days of winter. Remember the low-income residents of OEC that need your support beyond the Winter Holidays.

Winter coats – all sizes, all ages

Men’s shoes, underwear and socks

Hats, rain gear, gloves – all sizes

Blankets, sheets, bath towels – all sizes

Foot powder, soap, shampoo, hand lotion (the give-aways at hotels), band aids, q-tips, baby talc, baby shampoo, plastic cottage cheese cartons.

During these winter days the health and welfare of the homeless becomes tenuous. The First Ave. Svc. Ctr . is now called the Family & Adult Service Center.

Continue to pray for those served by OEC. Thank you, SAPC, for your generous support.

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