Methodist women host guest speaker in Langley

The United Methodist Women will host speaker Becca Mohally Renk of the nonprofit Center for Development in Central America on Thursday, Sept. 16.

She will speak on “Living Our Vision: Partnering with the Poor to Build Lives with Dignity.”

The CDCA works with the local community by helping them realize their own goals rather than bringing in ready-made solutions.

Renk will speak about their groundbreaking work in five areas: sustainable economic development, sustainable agriculture, primary healthcare, education and appropriate technology.

The program starts at 11 a.m. at Langley United Methodist Church, and lunch will be at noon, by donation. All are welcome.

First forum in series starts this Sunday

The next adult forums at St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland is “The Diversity of Early Christian Communities.”

This is the first of four lectures that will consider the wide- ranging theological diversity of early Christianity, and the internal conflicts that emerged as Christians tried to determine once and for all the “right” beliefs and practices. In this particular lecture, the forum will examine the views of the opponents of the apostle Paul in such areas as Galatia and Corinth, and then look at forms of Christianity outside the New Testament, such as those found in the opponents of Ignatius of Antioch, and non-canonical books, including the Gospel of Thomas.

The forum starts at 9:15 a.m. Sunday; Ted Brookes will present.

Interfaith Council to talk about helping the needy

The Interfaith Council of Whidbey Island will host a conference on helping the needy at Family Bible Church.

The conference is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.

Across the country, people of faith have joined together to provide shelter, meals and guidance for those suffering from the downturn in the economy. Islanders are invited to come have coffee and listen to guest speaker Jim Cozad of the Interfaith Council in Bellingham speak on how the group has partnered with the Opportunity Council to help the homeless in their community. All are welcome to come hear of the need in our own community, and to join hands as people putting faith into action.

The Interfaith Council of Whidbey Island is a nonprofit group bringing together religious organizations that wish to perform good works on Whidbey Island.

Family Bible Church is located at 2760 Heller Road. Lunch will be served; RSVP with Hap Fakkema at 360-675-0759.

Sermon focuses on the move beyond consumerism

According to some statistics, consumerism is undermining the environment and global economic stability. Yet many people today feel an increasing need to purchase more and more technology and items.

In Samaria, Jesus told the woman at the well, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst,” (John 4: 13/14).

On Sunday, Sept. 12, the Christian Science service explores how seeking the substance of spirit can free one from the need to seek satisfaction in material goods and activities, which are temporary.

Services are at 10:30 a.m. at 5910 Highway 525 (just north of Bayview and across from Useless Bay Road).

Everyone is welcome.

SWCC presents talk on the first church

Pastor Ron Wedeking will give the sermon Sunday morning at South Whidbey Community Church.

His topic will be “The First Church in Jerusalem, Part 1,” based on Acts, chapter 2.

Today at 8:30 a.m., the church will host its monthly men’s breakfast at the Deer Lagoon Grange. Keith Sorensen will speak on the topic “The Battle for Men’s Minds.” Darrell Coburn will be the chef, and this free breakfast is open to all interested guys who’d like to come.

Morning worship begins at 10 and is preceded by an adult learning forum at 9 a.m., with Stan Walker leading an inductive study into Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus and Art Angst leading a study into the Gospel of Luke. These are open classes where everyone is invited.

All SWCC sermons and special adult forum lectures are recorded, and copies on CD-R or e-mailed as Windows audio attachments may be obtained by calling

the Church phone at 221-1220.

South Whidbey Community Church is a local independent, non-denominational church that adheres to the National Association of Evangelical’s Statement of Faith. It is open to everyone and gathers for worship each Sunday at the Deer Lagoon Grange, 5142 Bayview Road.

For further information about the church and services, call 221-1220.

Evangelical church has schedule change

The Whidbey Evangelical Free Church is returning to its regular schedule of Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. and the worship service at 10:30.

‘It’s All in the Timing’ at Unity

How is it that sometimes we work so hard to make something happen and it just doesn’t work, and other times it seems to work without even trying? How are we at the cause for our experience? Where does our spirituality come into it?

Join Rev. Joanna Gabriel at the Unity of Whidbey service on Sunday for an exploration of these questions and the power of Order in our lives.

Lynn Parr will provide the music and the platform assistant will be Joy Williams.

The service is at 10 a.m. and all are welcome. Unity of Whidbey is located in its new chapel at 5671 Crawford Road in Langley.

Unity of Whidbey also maintains office hours at the church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

See the Unity Web site at www.unityofwhidbeyisland.org for more information.

Ingathering, water ceremony at UUCWI

The beginning of a new church year will be celebrated with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island’s traditional Ingathering and Water Ceremony.

At the Sunday service on Sept. 12, Rev. Kit Ketcham will speak about the significance of this ceremony and its place in Unitarian Universalism. There will be a dedicated offering to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

All are welcome.

Values-based children’s religious exploration classes and childcare will be provided.

The service is at 10 a.m. at 20103 Highway 525, just north of Freeland. Check www.whidbey.com/uucwi for more information.