​​Love can take many forms – some as easy as recognizing someone with a smile, others more complicated, such as volunteering and really getting to hear someone’s story. On May 4th, we all can participate in a Coeur d’Alene’s first ever NAMI Walk, a half mile flat trail at Landings Park that will serve as a way for people to come out, raise awareness and show support for those with mental health issues, (1 in 5 of us.) I’ll include a QR code to register and find out more about why we do this – AND because it is on “May the 4th Be with You Day” — dressing as your favorite Star Wars character is encouraged!

Another way to get involved with community-centered events at 1st Pres is to attend a Coffee House Conversation. Top-notch speakers with lived experience and expertise donate their time to raise awareness, share resources and educate. If you have never attended a Coffee House — I urge you to do so. They really are powerful, but don’t take my word for it — these are from people that have been there, many from community members that are just discovering what 1st Pres is all about:

“My experience with Coffee House Conversations? It was early 2023 and the topic was ‘Stigma Related to Mental Health Issues’. What a powerful topic. And when you think about this ‘stigma’, it triggers different emotions. Why? Because mental health knows no boundary and can affect anyone. So, stigma is defined as, ‘a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person’. Well, there's no disgrace in mental health and the panel assembled for this Coffee House Conversation was commanding and thoughtfully moderated. Listening to these neighbors impacted everyone. And I say neighbors because that's who they are. Our family, friends, and neighbors … some of whom suffer in silence, yet to be understood. Ordinary people experiencing life's challenges, talking about mental health. A healing process. No more secrets. No more stigma. Changing the paradigm through Coffee House Conversations!” — Larry Riley, St Vincent’s ED

“The Coffee House Conversations offer opportunities to deepen our understanding in how FPC can better connect with and compassionately care for our community, both within the church and the greater community beyond our doors.  God desires that we would seek justice, love mercy and walk in humility with our Lord (Micah 6:8). These can be abstract concepts and difficult to put into action. Those who volunteer to present bring the perspective of personal experience to challenging, yet important topics. In doing so, they bear witness to their efforts to overcome challenges, thereby offering insight on how to bring substance to the call put forth in Micah 6:8. Our attendance and participation honors not only those risking to share, but also our desire in seeking how God desires our expression of Love 1st.” — Yvette Wyatt

"My husband and I attended the Recovery Coffee Hour and were moved by the testimonies of all three presenters sharing their journey through addiction and their victory over their various demons. They were straight forward as they spoke about their journey and inspiring as they spoke about agencies and individuals that helped them along their path of recovery." — Carol Mitchell

"I have attended two of the Coffee Houses and both have provided me with more insight regarding recovery and homelessness in our community. While I work with people who suffer from homelessness and substance abuse issues daily, it has been inspiring to hear stories of recovery and successful housing from those who are not necessarily in our programs. I am blessed to be a part of a community that cares enough to have conversations about current and pressing issues. And I love the snacks!" -- Annie Parker, Manager of Trinity Group Homes
​
"The Coffee House Conversations I have attended offer more than just coffee. They're spaces where stories of recovery, resilience, and community unfold. It's an opportunity to gain insight, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the issues affecting our community." — Tess Reasor 208 Recovery North ED

“Having attended all the Coffee House Conversations, I found all of them enlightening, encouraging and well-planned. They helped me understand and be grateful for the resources in our community that can help with life's difficulties and crises such as suicide, addiction, and homelessness. I would encourage all our congregation to attend one in the future. Thank you to our Community Outreach Committee for organizing these wonderfully helpful events.” — Cheryl Broadway 

The next Coffee House will be in August and will be focusing on Parenting in a Digital Age. Stay tuned for details.

This Saturday we are participating in NAMI Walks and we'd love to see you there. It's a gentle, flat and short loop at Landings Park. You can REGISTER HERE.  Or just show up!

In His Name, Donna

our Earth functions in a way that is astonishing when you think of how much goes on our planet daily. From a simple sunrise or sunset harmonizing with symbiotic animal relationships, all while a chemical reaction lets our oxygen-dependent species breathe, coupled with the vastness of the different landscapes that are found all over the world. Yet, it all just seems to come together. All these creations. All these plants. All these animals. It could never have worked if it had never been meticulously planned.

Living in the panhandle of Idaho, I feel that we are blessed every day with the opportunity to see the beauty in God’s creation of Earth, and everything on it, more than others. It baffles me why anyone would trade the tall mountains and numerous evergreens for concrete jungles; however, to each their own. I am so glad that if I want to experience the splendor of nature, I do not have to travel far. I know many people who tell me they do not feel the presence of the Holy Spirit from sitting in a church pew, but rather from when they walk around in nature.
​
Long concerned about the environment, Senator Gaylord Nelson (Wisconsin) persuaded Pete McCloskey, California Congressman, to serve as co-chair to develop a program to encourage public consciousness and awareness about air and water pollution. This collaboration between Nelson and McCloskey in 1969, along with others, led to the first Earth Day on April 22,1970. This is considered to be the dawn of the modern environmental movement. Visit earthday.org for more information.

While I am not as powerful as a senator, my family and I enjoy celebrating Earth Day. We always read Dr. Suess’ “The Lorax” and we like to pick up litter somewhere. Sometimes we go on a hike to view nature and bring a plastic garbage bag to throw away the litter we find on our hike. Littering is a serious offense in our family. My children know not to throw their trash on the ground. They were taught at an early age to keep their litter in their pockets until they find the proper receptacle to put it into. I would love for anyone to be able to celebrate Earth Day, so I listed several simple suggestions.

​Grace & Peace, Tracee

In ​adoration we address God as Our Father, showing our relationship, reverence and gratitude for His love and care. This conveys God’s holiness, and the desire for His will to be done. The confession is our request for the forgiveness of our sins, along with the condition that we must also forgive others who have wronged us. In supplication, we ask for food to nourish our bodies and His Word to nourish our souls. To overcome our weaknesses, we pray for God to extend His guiding hand over us to grant discernment and to steer clear of temptation and sin.

Delores Smyth says, “This prayer focuses our thoughts on what is important in life by summarizing everything we must do to be good and faithful servants: revere God, accept His will, know His Word, love each other through forgiveness, and resist evil.” 

In one of my former Bible studies, we were asked to rewrite The Lord’s Prayer, customizing it to be meaningful to our families. This is the version my son, Prentice wrote when he was in high school. 

kids as they rush down the aisles of the sanctuary to pray together, before diving into exploration and experiences of who God is — with each other, their amazing Sunday School teachers and our wonderful volunteers. I see God’s light shining through our teens as they lead with kindness and grace at school, in sports, and throughout our community. I hear God’s goodness as families and multiple generations gather and connect in fellowship each Sunday and throughout the week in small groups. I feel God’s power at work in my own life as I navigate this season of parenting and family, and finding rhythms that help keep us grounded as we overcome the things that may cause us to feel anxious and uncertain. 

Despite the chaos and noise of the world, we can rest in the peace and grace of God and lay our burdens at the foot of the cross. Whatever challenges or blessings this week may hold for you, I pray you feel God’s grace and love.


In Christ, Kierstie

At first Pastor Justice’s statement caught me off guard. I immediately thought of all the “more important” things a child should learn at church. Pastor Justice went on to explain the difference between lessons learned at home and those learned at church. He also explained how he hoped that when an adult having a difficult time in life, looked back over their life and asked “When was I ever happy?”; hopefully it would be memories of church. A few weeks later, the Pastor’s word proved true when someone I knew who had no room for God in their life suddenly fell on hard times and they asked “When was I ever happy?” They told me it was when they were a kid at church. They returned to church and found that childlike Joy in Christ once again.

In many churches, we quote Jesus’ words found in Matthew 18. Jesus pulls a child into the midst of the disciples and urges them to accept the kingdom of God like a little child. Jesus famously states that whoever causes a child to stumble it would be better for that person to tie a huge stone around their neck and jump in the ocean. This warning may seem harsh, but as my husband and I have worked with many hurting people over the years I can start to understand Jesus’ warning to us adults.

This month as we stop to recognize child abuse awareness month, we have planted over a hundred pinwheels in our flower beds here at 1st Pres. Pinwheels seem to sum up childlike joy, and the power of the wind reminds us of a child’s vulnerability. The impact of abuse on a child ripples out in so many unforeseen ways. The physical damage on a small body may be the hardest thing to look at but it is the heart, mind, and soul damage that lasts the longest. It is this unseen damage to the little soul that is what I think Jesus was warning us about. Don’t do things that prevent the joy of the kingdom in this little child. When we deal harshly with the children in our midst we prevent them from entering into the joyful aspects of Christ’s love. We also rob ourselves of the lessons they can teach us about faith.

I realize child abuse is a heavy subject that can make us feel powerless. When the subject comes up we often confuse the conversation further with debates about abuse and discipline. Abuse seeks to dominate and discipline seeks to train. Abuse forgets the intrinsic value of the human soul while discipline calls forth the beauty and strength of the growing soul. Pretty pinwheels are so small in light of all that an abused child will face in their life. However, I believe it is the joy of a simple pinwheel that gives us back the power we have in the lives of the children among us. If we can first stop to recognize and value the children in our lives. Be involved with the families around us. If we each take the time to provide happy memories for the children in our lives, to bring joy to their world then we are one step closer to understanding the faith of a child Jesus so valued. We may not see all of the times that a child or a family is hurting, but our heavenly Father sees them.
​
Later in life, it is my hope that Pastor Justice’s word will ring true for the precious children in our lives. I hope these kinds of things come to the minds of these precious little ones.
​

​Maybe these happy memories will dispel the dark memories long enough to bring them back to God’s house where they can engage with the Father who longs to heal all wounds. I believe the fight against child abuse begins with an awareness of the children in our lives. As we tend to these precious little souls with the simple goal of bringing them happy church memories we will have a greater chance of preventing the enemy from stealing their joy.

If you would like to plant a pinwheel here at 1st Pres in April, please call the church office and we will be happy to help you spread joy and awareness.

In His Name, Bonnie