Mavis Moon
I live in Lynden, WA, and attend Sonlife Christian Reformed Church. I am retired. My last 25+ years of work were as the IT Director of Pivot Interiors, a Herman Miller office furniture company in San Jose, CA.
I grew up in the Air Force, where my dad was a chaplain. During my childhood, I lived in several places, including Michigan, Alaska, Washington, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. I went to Calvin College--now University--in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I met my husband, Randy.
We lived in San Jose, CA, for over 40 years and moved to Lynden, WA, in the Fall of 2024. I have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren who are, of course, the cutest things ever.
Posted in: Any Current or Past Elders?
Hello! Yes, I am an elder. It is my second term. I am the President of our Council.
Posted in: Any Current or Past Elders?
I'd like to interject here that elders, and really all of us as Christians, are called to "serve others in selfless love." I believe part of serving in love includes giving others the benefit of the doubt. I can relate and agree with what both you and Carol said. I don't think that you were selected, Keith, *because* you were a male, and I don't think Carol does, either, although I cannot speak for her. I think the point is that if you were *not* a male, during that time period, you would never have been selected, regardless of your qualifications or lack thereof. In that way, it is true that gender is a factor in your being selected.
It is true for me, and I believe others, that we are grateful for the advent of "women in office," and also have to deal with our sadness about the fact that it took as long as it did. It is something I pray about often. I am particularly sad that my daughter grew up in a church I love but during all her childhood years -- and until many years after -- never saw a woman elder or pastor in that church. I hope you and everyone can understand that sadness and, perhaps even show your love with tenderness and mercy.
I am confident we all share your hope and prayer that elders are selected because they are qualified as spiritual leaders who lead godly lives, and not for other reasons, whether it is gender, or popularity, or their appearance, or wealth, or whatever it might be.
Posted in: What Do You Wish You Had Known When You Were First Installed?
I was elected elder for the first time about 5 years ago. I agree with the others that a well thought-out orientation would have been helpful, for visits definitely, as has also been said. Now that I am the president, saying this is making me realize that creating such a thing should be on my list.
Posted in: Instead of Church
Interesting ideas. Have you experienced anything like this yourself? I'd be interested to hear more.
Posted in: Church, Your Families Need Help (And Adding More Programs Isn’t the Answer)
Great headline and article. I agree that the concrete ideas are helpful. I plan to send this to our congregation and ask them for thoughts and ideas.
One thing that we do is give our kids "jobs" at church as soon as possible. They are song leaders, sound techs, accompanists, children's ministries aides (and leaders when old enough and capable). That is one way to make the church their own.
Thank you.
Posted in: How Does Your Church Share Prayer Requests?
The requests just go out via email and the Sunday of each week they get posted in the bulletin. We are using Planning Center now (https://www.planningcenter.com/) and hope to make it a centralized way to do almost everything. It'll give us just one list for contact info (the People module). It can be used for emailing using MailChimp which we plan to do for our weekly e-newsletter, and it can be used for this kind of prayer request mailing, too.
Posted in: How Does Your Church Share Prayer Requests?
We use a google group. We have a note in our bulletin and newsletter to email the secretary if you want to be added. The group sends the request to the group, when it comes from whatever email address has been added. You can add people in a mass group or one at a time. We've been using it for quite a few years and it works quite well. The secretary also includes each prayer request from the emails in the bulletin under a heading for our church family.
We will be evaluating The Bridge app pretty soon (right now only available in Canada, but coming to US), and we'll see if it makes sense to change to that.
Posted in: What Books Are You Reading in 2019?
I read "Where'd You Go Bernadette?" and enjoyed it, too. Like you said, fun.
I listened to the audio book of "Born a Crime" and iti was great! My husband and I both listened as we were on a road trip. Trevor Noah reads it himself.
And I agree with "Becoming" being good.
I better read your other one, "On the Come Up," seems like we are on the same track!
Posted in: What Books Are You Reading in 2019?
I have been slightly obsessed by Wendell Berry. I've read "Andy Catlett: Early Travels," "Jayber Crow," "Hannah Coulter," "A Place in Time," and am reading out of two of his poetry collections. So, so good!! I also started listening to a podcast about him and his writings - "The Membership." Great for geeking out on Wendell Berry.
I read "Shameless" by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Really thought-provoking. She tells many stories of people who have been harmed by the church’s teachings of abstinence, denying your sexuality, and blaming women for men’s adultery and other sinful acts. While remaining avidly Lutheran, believing in the gospel stories, including Jesus’ resurrection, she finds a different way of looking at the Bible’s teachings about sexuality.
Also read two by Nicholas Wolterstorff. What an incredible man. I read "Lament for a Son" and his memoir "In This World of Wonders: Memoir of a Life in Learning." "Lament for a Son" is raw grief. Somehow in spite of the sadness and grief, it is is comforting and strengthening. The memoir is full of stories and thoughts. Easy to read but deep at the same time. He is also leading a CALL 5-week seminar at Calvin and I am listening and viewing that through the live streaming Calvin has. Makes you thankful for technology!
A book I hope to read is "The Universal Christ" by Richard Rohr. I listened to an interview he did on the podcast "The Liturgists" and I think it may be life-changing for me. I am thinking and questioning and reading and listening to more because what he says intrigues me deeply.
Posted in: What Books Are You Reading in 2019?
Thank you for replying, Karl. I have "Long Legged House" in my pile of books to be read. (Tsundoku is the Japanese word for those, did you know?) I'm so sorry about the loss of your daughter. I can relate to the importance of "Lament for a Son."
I tried a different book by Rohr, "Falling Upward," and found It hard to get through. I just wasn't glomming on to the topic, although a good friend had told me how insightful and good he thought it was. Almost the opposite of new agey. I thought that his interview gave me a lot to think about. He does take a different perspective on God, love, religion, almost everything. I like thinking about what he says and mulling over the questions and thoughts it brings up. If you're interested, the interview is 2 podcast sessions here: http://www.theliturgists.com/podcast/2019/3/24/the-universal-christ-with-richard-rohr
Well wishes to you, too. Thank you.
Posted in: What Books Are You Reading in 2019?
Diane, these sound good! Somehow I got on a mailing list and received a free online course of NT Wright and the Lord's prayer. Not sure if everyone can get it free or what, but the course is here: https://www.udemy.com/share/100Xt3B0sYeFdSQn4=/ if you want to check it out.
I love Eugene Peterson, too. The book of his sermons sounds great. We lost a treasure when he passed away, but I'm glad to have his legacy of writing.
Posted in: What Do You Call Your Benevolence Ministry?
We call it the Deacons Care Fund. When announcing it as the offering in the bulletin we say:
The Deacons CARE Fund is set aside to help our church family members and others during times of temporary need. We want to offer assistance to anyone who needs it in this time of economic difficulty. The deacons encourage the congregation to help us meet these needs and replenish the Care fund.
Pretty much every Sunday we include:
Deacons CARE Ministry: If you know of or have a specific need, please contact a deacon (listed in the church bulletin) to make that known.
Not sure if that's too much better, but the fund seems to be doing all right, and I know the deacons have helped quite a few people.