Deepen Our Roots

Like a Rushing River

2008-02-18T16:33:00.000-08:00

Years ago I lived in South Texas. It is not unusual to see rivers that for about 80% of the year are dry. The floor of the river is dry, cracked and dusty. If you dig down deep enough, you will come across damp soil and eventually water, but sometimes you might have to dig for a very long time. During the rainy season when the rain may fall at the rate of 1-3 inches and hour this area is prone to flash floods. It is an interesting phenonomon watching a river "come down" as the locals call it. First in the center of the bed of the river there is the slightest trickle of water. That trickle grows into a brook, then a large stream and then one can hear the water from a way off. It sounds like rolling thunder. And then you see this massive wall of water surging over the river bed, closing up all the cracked, dry, soil. The water replenishes the area around the river and brings life back to the river bed, the banks of the river and everywhere the life-giving water touches.

This is how I have experienced the Grace and Blessing of God, when I am dry and my life looks barren, when things look the most difficult and the mountain before me seems huge, God surprises me with a flash flood of grace and blessing.

We are in a time and place when it might feel that we are in dry river bed with no hope of experiencing the refreshing touch of God's blessing, but I know that God is in control and I can almost hear the roar of the water coming down the river!

Finish the Race Well

2008-02-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

In WOW (Women of the Word) we are studying Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther. Ezra & Nehemiah chronicle a time in the history of Israel when they were asked to build the temple in Jerusalem and then rebuild the city. They faced obstacles, challenges and people who said it couldn't be done. They knew in their hearts that God had called them to the challenge and with His help they would accomplish what they were asked to do.

I imagine that if we spoke to every person, young and old, that attends Washington Cathedral we would have hundreds if not thousands of stories that would tell of the challenges that we all face.

God has called us as a church to build the Randy and Rod ReCreation Center. He wants us to use it to bless the communities that surround us. We are in the last several miles of the marathon called the Deepen Our Roots campaign. We can see the finish line. Our lungs hurt, our legs hurt and sometimes feel like rubber. We are thinking, I am not sure I can cross the finish line. But there is good news! We are not doing this alone, we are a group of saints that have joined together to build the ReCreation Center and with God's help, it will be built.

Join us on the greatest adventure and race of your life!!!!!

"Possibilities"

2007-12-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

In my musings, I have wondered what the ReCreation Building will become, what gives it meaning. It is a building made of concrete, steel, glass, wood and a myriad of other building materials. We can walk through the halls and rooms and "see" the proposed function for each area. There are distinct rooms, we can see the gym, the pool, the stage, the counseling center, the offices, the classrooms, the library, the kitchen, the cafe`, and the nursery.

The ReCreation Center is not just a building. The ReCreation Center is a building that will become a home, a community center, a healing place, a safe place, a meeting place, a work place, a sharing place and a place of worship. As much as we have been excited to watch the progress of the the ReCreation Center, we should be more excited about the possibilitie that will take place in these walls. A child learning to read; a husband and wife putting their marriage back together; a senior or child with a disability having the freedom to move easier; job seekers learning how to write a resume`; hungry people being fed. People will have their spirits touched by the music and drama that will be performed, children and adults will learn to dance, sing, paint. The possibilities are endless. We only have to imagine and dream of what God is going to do in and through the ReCreation Center.

New pictures!!!!

2007-08-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

There has been much progress in the building. The trusses for the office and counseling center have gone up on the roof. More walls are being put into place and the parking lot is taking shape.

So many things to see!

2007-08-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

There are many things taking place on the building site these days. The sight changes daily, but the changes are not as apparent as the steel being placed or the roof going on. The pipes for plumbing or conduits for the electrical system are being put into place. The rooms are beginning to take shape.

One of the major changes over the last few weeks has been the parking lot at the top of the hill. Once there was a small parking lot with lots of overgrown blackberry bushes, now the blackberry bushes and brush are gone and in their places is our upper level parking lot. For a week or so there were piles of dirt, now it is easy to see the three level of our parking lot.

We have change throughout the campus.

We can only Imagine!!!!!

2007-07-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

Counseling Center

Stage

Kitchen

Cafeteria

Library

The building is beginning to take on form and whole rooms can be seen. I have included pictures of the gymnasium/worship center/performing arts center roof line that was completed yesterday. Also included are pictures of the library, counseling center, cafeteria, kitchen, classrooms and stage. Our stage by the way is almost the same size as the stage at the Paramount Theater in Seattle.

Summer Excitement

2007-07-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

When we think of summer we think of the "lazy-hazy" days of summer. And for the most part I think many of us try to take life down a notch and try to relax more. Children are off from school and many take vacations, the weather is warm and the pool or beach or lake are so inviting. In a time when most begin to relax a little, the activity around the ReCreation Center is "heating" up. The outside walls on the bottom floor are up. The inside walls have been formed and sheet rock/wall board is being installed. The main truss that gives the gymnasium its stability has been put into place. This is going to be an exciting summer. Watch us grow!!!!

"Lift High the Cross"

2007-06-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Til all the world adore His sacred name........are the words of an old hymn. And yesterday, June 19th, the cross was raised on the ReCreation building. For those who were in attendance taking pictures or just watching in awe it was truly an amazing sight. I have enclosed a few pictures from yesterday. There are more pictures on the website. Thanks to all those who came armed with cameras to document this exciting day!!!!

MORE PICTURES!!!!!!!

2007-06-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

The work crews have made more progress on the ReCreation Center. Here are some new pictures!!!!

New Progress

2007-06-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, the second floor was poured. This is an exciting time for the building. It is a time when we can see the progress that is being made from day to day. In the near future, the progress won't be as easily seen. But it will still be exciting. It is a little like our lives as Christians. When we first come to Christ, those around us know that there is something different about us, they want to know why we have changed, it is easier to see the growth in our lives. Then God starts the work of working on the inside. Those around us can't see it nearly as well, but we know that God is doing something.

Once the walls are formed on the ReCreation Center, the only way we will be able to "see" the progress will be to go inside. The less we see from the outside will be our hint that great work is being carried out on the inside of the building. Please continue to pray for the workers on the ReCreation Center. Pray for all the people involved from the architects to the steel workers. Pray for their safety and that the work will continue to go smoothly.

New Construction Pictures!!!!!

2007-05-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new pictures of the construction site. It is easier now to see the outline of the different parts of the building. We continue to pray for the safety of the workers.

Moving Onward

2007-05-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

It is such a joy to watch the ReCreation Center develop and grow. Not unlike watching my grandson Max learn to crawl, then stand holding on, stand alone and then very soon take his first steps. Each time Max begins to try something new, he first has to strengthen the muscles and work out the pattern in his brain of how this new achievement will be undertaken. We can't see the muscles work or the pattern being run in his brain, but we know that those things are taking place. Just like the ReCreation Center, there are many things that are taking place daily that we can't see from the parking lot, but they are taking place. And just as those around Max are trying to chronicle his development there are people in the Washington Cathedral family that are chronicling the development of the ReCreation Center.

We are attempting to keep the pictures of the ReCreation Center on the website so that everyone can "witness" the progress. (Unlike Max's development, for those pictures you will have to stop by my office). We invite you to http://wacphotos.phanfare.com/ to watch the buildings progress.

This week the concrete pad was poured for the lower floor. The decking for the second floor is coming to completion in the west end of the building over where the concrete was poured. These are exciting times. We urge you to keep checking back for news and photos!

"Formless and Empty"

2007-05-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

In Genesis 1:2, we read that the world was formless and empty. And then we read that God said let there be light in verse 3. And God, created the world. A place of form, substance and beauty. When I think back to last September when we had the Ground Breaking Celebration, the building site was hill without much form. Then we had the hole that was empty and as time has progressed the "hole" has been filled with shape and form. I am amazed at the progress that we can see. The columns of steel have formed the framework for the new ReCreation Center. Before the steel had begun to be put into place I had a hard time visualizing where everything was going to be, but little by little, I can see shape and form. I can visualize walls, a gym, a pool, a new library, a new worship center, a new kitchen, the new stage for performing arts, and the counseling center. But that is not all! I can hear the choirs from the new worship center, hear the children laughing in the gym and pool, see tears of joy when healing is brought to a heart in the counseling center, and smell the outstanding food that will come from the kitchen. But it is not just about the building, it's about the people who will learn, grow, serve and be healed. The building is a framework in which God can do what He does best. ReCreate people. God has a way of making all things new, of completing what He starts, of making something out of nothing. He is the God of the impossible and the God of our imaginings.

The Washington Cathedral family is made up of so many diverse people. We come from all walks of life. We come in all shapes and sizes. There are teachers, fireman, constuction workers, business owners, students, children, singers, actors, artists, poets, computer industry people, aircraft industry people, doctors, lawyers, dentists, theologians, counselors, etc. The list of what we do is endless, but we are all part of the family. We all serve the Living Lord. We have had times when God has taken our emptiness and the places that were without form and made something beautiful out of each and everyone of us. Just as He has done with our hill, turned hole, now building.

Come by and watch the building take shape. We need your pictures and your stories. Join with us on this great adventure.

I Can Only Imagine!!

2007-04-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

I love the song "I Can Only Imagine". It's about imagining what it will be like when we get to heaven. As I drove on to the campus this morning the steel workers were installing more steel columns in place. It is such a joy to come every morning and see something, even slightly change on the building. I can only imagine what it is going to be like when the building is finished and the doors are open. The joy, the excitement, the laughter, the noise, the music, the children, we can only imagine what it is going to be like. And just like when we try to imagine heaven and all of its glory, our imaginings of what this new building is going to be like will only be a small part of what it really is. Check out Phan-phare to see new pictures of the construction site.

Watch Us Grow

2007-04-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and not too soon. We have had a long cold, stormy winter, but warm weather is here and the flowers and trees are beginning to sprout new growth. Our building is beginning to take shape and we can visably see new growth. There has been progress that we haven't been able to see. Progress in the ground and concrete being poured. This week we will see decking being placed and the form of floors. There is so much excitement.

I want to challenge you not only to continue to pray for the building, the workers, and the people that will be blessed by this building, but to pray about how you can become a supporter of the ReCreation Center. We are planting the seeds for the future. If you haven't become part of the growing army of people who have pledged and begun to give to the Deepen Our Roots Campaign, we ask that you consider doing just that. Although we can see steel being placed and floors being formed, we have a long way to go. If you are new to Washington Cathedral this is a time to jump on and participate. We can't do it without you. If you can't that's okay we still need your prayers. But if you can, now is the time. Just watch us grow!!!!!!! Be part of the excitement. Have a blessed and happy Easter!!!!!!!

"The Final Third"

2007-03-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

We are approaching the end of "March Madness" where there is talk of the "sweet sixteen", the "elite eight" and the "Final Four". At the end of this process someone will win. Every basketball fan is glued to the TV from Thursday night to Saturday for each weekend in March and into April. Work stops, there are predictions of how one's favorite team is going to fair, the "remote wars" are at a fever pitch. But soon this will end and basketball fans will begin looking for next year. Imagine that one of the kids that plays play basketball in the ReCreation Center ends up in the Final Four. How exciting that would be. But more important, what if playing basketball in the ReCreation Center helps shape a life of one young man or woman to live a life of greatness. That is far more important than the annual madness that comes into our lives every spring. As we enter the last year of the Deepen Our Roots campaign, we need to continue to lift our sights high to make this ReCreation Center possible. We need each person on the team to make this happen.

One of the shining markers on the way to the next year was the recent Second Anniversary Dinner. There were so many people who helped make the night such a success. Our emcees, Rod & Randy Halvorson, Kevin Leakey, Mike Rohrbach, Grant Goodeve, Normando, Pastor Naomi, Pastor Scott and Hilary, and the Cathedral Adult Choir, as well as Rich Skinner were those in the spotlight who kept the evening fun and inspirational. There was such a sense of community. Those who provided the food, Pastor David and Nancy Miller and their team. Melissa Tyskinski, Cathy Baird, and Diana Smith who made the arrangements for dishes, decorations, etc. Teresa Fernandez, Kaitlin and friends who made the programs, plus the many people who served the food and did the clean-up: Jannette Backlund, Ed & Jana Goad (sound), Toni Firth, Lanny & Deborah Vanderhoeck, Allan & Laurie Wenzel( welcome tables), Bob, Cathy & Becky Baird, John & Melissa Tyskinski, Pastor Michael & Teresa Fernandez and family, Fiona Monaghan, Mike & Tara Roth, Glen Horman ( photographer), Jackie White, Amy Williams, Pam Seymour & Nancy Jo King (phone calls), Lesley Mulkey, Lolita Cederblom, Karen Haverkate, Denise Espeland,Gale Brink, Patty Chapman, Riley Frazier, and all the staff, Pastor Scott, Pastor Naomi, Pastor Linda, Pastor David, Pastor Michael and Pastor Tim. Pastor Sally Jo Holmes and the Prayer Team. And a special thank you to the Deepen Our Roots Follow-up Team. This dinner was a shining example of the team spirit here at Washington Cathedral.

As we enter the final third, we challenge you to become part of the team. If you can't give we need your prayers. If you can give, every gift no matter how big or small is the same in God's eyes. We need both. Let's take this to the end.

"Middle Miles"

2007-02-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

The author of Hebrews writes, " Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus........ " Hebrews 12: 1, 2a. One of my personal goals is to someday run the Seattle marathon. That is a huge goal for someone who hasn't run for 20+ years. There are things in my life that have to be changed in order for me to accomplish that goal. First, I must get back to the gym. Second, I must lay out a plan to increase the length of my "runs". Third, I need to change once again my eating habits. And last, I must prepare myself mentally and spiritually to run the race to its finish. In speaking with others who have either run a marathon or done the Seattle-Portland bike race the hardest part of the race are the middle miles. The ones after you have started and before the final push to the finish line. Although it seems like a daunting task I know that I can do it. Not because I am so strong, but because I know that "cloud of witnesses" in my life will be there to cheer me on, just as they do everyday. There's my Momma Dede, Dad, Pop, Grandma Carol, Nana, Daddy, & my friend John. They are the people in my life who have gone on to be with the Lord. They along with my still on earth family cheer me on. Years ago I read a book by Joyce Landorf called "Balcony People", in this book she wrote about the people in our lives that are in the here and now who cheer us on, but often we forget about those who have reached heaven before us. We each have a "cloud of witnesses" to cheer us on.

Now what does this have to do with the Deepen Our Roots campaign. Two years ago we started a race to build the Rod and Randy Re-Creation Center. We find ourselves in the middle miles. We have started the "race" and we are almost to the finish line, but not quite. We still have several miles to go. Maybe our muscles are sore, maybe it hurts to breathe and our mind is saying "hey, you got this far, its' okay to stop now........" We have run a very good race up until now, but we need to finish the race. Jesus our brother is cheering us on but so are Jane Bishop, Bill Holmes, Emily Boyce, Bill Biggs and Larry King. They join with the others who have gone before us. There names are on plaques all around us so that we can remember who they were and how they are part of the history of Washington Cathedral. They are saying don't give up now, you can finish this "race". So if you have pledged keep on going, if you have had trouble keeping up with your pledge, don't give up. And if you haven't started yet, join the team. This race is different from the Seattle Marathon, that race has only one winner. When we finish we all win. We all cross the finish line at the same time and along with us are the children, the community, the hurting in mind, body and spirit, and the generations to come.

A Tribute to Bruce Blake

2007-02-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

Another person from our church who is a part of the construction team is Bruce Blake. Bruce is one of the tall guys in the choir and is married to Pastor Naomi Blake. Bruce grew up on a dairy farm where he learned a little bit about most everything. If you have ever been around a farmer than you know that they are can people who just have to figure it out and get it done. Bruce took that skill into the construction trades and became a supervisor on some very big construction projects. While a member of Washington Cathedral he received a dream to start a consulting company to the construction industry. His buisness just took off. Bruce has invested a lot of time into the recreation construction project. He brings a lot of expertise to the design and the implimentation while working with the Architects and contractors. In fact, this ltask of building this center has been his second job for a long time including every phase of construction. Only God knows how much money we have saved as a church by the investment of time from those who we pay tribute to weekly.

"This is the day the Lord has made!"

2007-02-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

What a glorious day it is today! The sun is coming out and the fog is rolling away! On the building site there are sounds of hammers and equipment being used. The smell of fresh lumber is mixed with the smell of concrete curing. The south wall is getting taller and taller. One can see the footings that have been poured. Progress is being made. The rains have been light so that the concrete could cure properly.

What an exciting time!! We want to thank all of the people who made our Permit Celebration a success, especially the ushers for the fourth Sunday and the DOR Follow-up committee.

Tribute to Rob McJunkin

2007-02-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

Another person who has worked on the new Recreation center is Rob McJunkin. Rob worked long hours on the tractors in preparing the site for construction. At one point he came out of very dangerous accident when he rolled the giant tractor that he was operating. Rob works for Mike Roth and Mike works for Kent Halvorson. Both of them were just happy that Rob came out unhurt even though they lost a tractor in the accident. I also was so thankful that God watched over Rob not only for his sake but for the sake of his wonderful wife Nancy and his daughter Anna. Nancy is a junior high school teacher and a member of the Washington Seminary Board of Directors. Anna is a dynamic leader in our youth ministry. She has an incredibly positive influence on all the other young people from our church and in the community. Both are incredibly vibrant Christians that just draw so many of us closer to God.

Rob has quite a story of God's grace doing something amazing in his life. He is also one of the people going down to Honduras to help build a school for the children who live and work in the city dump. Rob also worked very long hard hours in moving the dirt because this was not only his job but his church family.

One of the reasons Halvorson construction has built so many churches is that Kent has designed his company to take advantage of all the volunteerism that arises in a church and allow them to stretch the value of every gift. What an exciting team God has formed to build this new recreation center. Next week, I will tell you about another one.

A tribute to Mike Roth

2007-01-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

This morning as I was walking around the construction site I was thinking and praying for all the safety of the workers. Mike Roth was one that came to mind. Mike is the father of two wonderul young children Ashley and Travis. He is a very hard worker and an honest friend. He thinks in practical ways to the degree that I often come home and tell my wife Jackie that he is a genius. Mike was one of the crew that helped build the waterfall when everyone thought was impossible. He along with Gary Child, Rob Mc Junkin, Matt Bechtel and others worked almost every Saturday for a year and pulled it off. Mike is the kind of guy that just makes things happen. Think of all the people of all ages that have enjoyed that waterfall due to the commitment of these young dad's. The Roth family loves to laugh, roller skate, dance, and sing. Once Mike cut off his thumb on one of his construction projects and he calmly went to the hospital. He is a tough guy. In fact, he could play Hercules in the next play -- but Hercules is a mythical figure and he does not appear in the scripture. His wife Tara is a brilliant computer engineer and manager. Together they and their extended family are just the salt of the world. I can't tell you how many times Mike comes up with a tractor to fix something at the church. He just gets things done and really does not care who gets the credit. In fact, he will probably be a little embarrassed about this article but people should know the stories of the wonderful people who are stretching our investement in building this recreation center. The church that I grew up in had such a man and his name was Lloyd Sanders. The Cathedral of Joy would not be there if it were not for people like Lloyd. After Lloyds funeral I wept as I drove back over the mountains to Seattle thinking about his impact on my life and so many others. Mike is that kind of man - as a very old man, when he dies, the kids who have grown up in the church - swimming in the pool and playing basketball in the gym, hanging out in the cafeteria reading a book they checked out from the church library while their parents received counseling at the counseling center. And when they realize that this church would not be here except for this tough construction worker they will weep. I got to work here at 8:00 am this Saturday morning and there on the contruction site working all by himself was Mike. Praise God we are all part of a wonderful miracle that will bless generations

Giant Legos

2007-01-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

I have eight grandchildren. They are all different all very special and one of the things that they have had in common as they grow is Legos. They love them . It is fun to sit on the floor or at a table and take the small colorful building blocks and make buildings, houses, horses, etc. The forms that are put together so that the concrete walls can be poured look quite similar to Legos. Just imagine Giant Legos. We are making progress from day to day. As the forms are put together they look like walls and on the south side of the building site we have the beginning of the walls. What an exciting time for us. See you this weekend at the "Permit Celebration"!

Permit Celebration

2007-01-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

On January 27th and 28th we will be having a "Permit Celebration" at all of the services. Come and join us. There will be a special slide presentation of the progress on the building site. Come and celebrate with us!!!!!!!

Neither Sleet or Snow..........

2007-01-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

Another day, another snow storm. The weather has been a constant topic of conversation and concern for the last month. We have had to postpone or cancel so many meetings, services, celebrations, etc. When the weather has been bad the workers can't work on the building site. I expected to not see the workers this morning when I came on campus. I expected that today there would be no progress. My attitude was pretty bad.

Years ago we lived in rural Texas, in an agricultural area. The farmers lives depended on the right kind of weather at the right time. I can remember praying for rain just as the crops were being planted. Then prayed that the rains wouldn't come as the wheat, corn and cotton were just about to be harvested. I witnessed farmers whose crops were destroyed a few days or weeks shy of being harvested by hail and heavy rains. There were many lessons that I learned watching these farmers. The most lasting lesson I learned was from Ed, he taught me by his actions about the importance of a right attitude. Ed was a descendant of the original settlers of this small town of 650 and the town was named after his family. Ed was a farmer and rancher. He grew red winter wheat. The hard red wheat is planted in the fall and grows over the winter. The cold weather produces a harder, higher quality wheat. One year in particular year Ed's wheat was taller than normal because we received rain at just the right time. The heads were fuller. He was going to get top dollar for this crop. We knew that he was especially excited because he was one of our farmers that tithed off of each crop. He was so elated because the year before the crop had fallen short of his expectations. He wasn't able to give as much as he had hoped. But this year the crop would make up for what he had wanted to give the year before. Ed lived to give, that was just who he was. About a week before the wheat was to be harvested we had a typical spring storm. The sky opened up with wind, hail as big as golf balls and pounding rain. When the storm had past, we saw what was left. The fields that had once been so full of promise looked as if someone had taken a large mower and mowed the wheat down to the ground. Ed was devastated. One would expect him to curse or yell, but that wasn't what he did. Instead he knelt down on the ground and he praised God. Ed had learned that no matter what is thrown our way, its all in the attitude. We can either be grumpy or full of joy. I will admit I wasn't much like Ed this morning, my attitude was pretty grumpy. The weather had taken it's toll just like Ed's field of wheat. Once again the weather was messing up everything. Then I made a quiet decision that today was going to be a good day. I thanked God for the weather.

When I got onto the campus this morning, God had a surprise for me. The snow was falling, but the workers were here. There was going to be progress. But I know that even if the workers had not been able to work today. It still would have been a good day. Because I know that God doesn't care about wind, rain, sleet, ice or snow. He is still God, this is His building and He is going to build it. Even when the weather seems to get in the way.

Deepen Our Roots

2007-01-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

Deepen Our Roots

"The weather outside is frightful" begins a seasonal song. And at times this past month our weather has been frightful. The rain, snow and winds remind us of the fact that we are not in control. Everytime I hear a weather report these days I am reminded of the fact that the uncontrollable weather meant that many of us were without power for days. Sometimes those days felt like years. I feel myself brace. The sound of wind outside my window raises my anxiety level. But in spite of it all I know that what I need to do is to "cast all that anxiety" on the person who made the wind, rain, and snow. He has promised us to carry us through all of what the weather and life has to throw at us. We have promises that He will lift us up and sustain us. Now you say how do we tie that string of thought to the Re-Creation Center?

Good question! The building has proceeded despite the weather. We have had no power, freezing temperatures, torrential rains, howling winds and progress has been made. An inspector from the city stated that he was surprized that we had so little erosion damage to the site with all the rain. We are once more reminded that God is in control and He is protecting and watching over this Re-Creation Center!!!!!

Shout For Joy!!!

2006-12-20T17:25:00.000-08:00

"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites(the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: 'He is good; His love to Israel endures forever.' And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." Ezra 3:10-11. The people of Israel had waited a long time to rebuild the temple for God. We haven't had to wait as long as the Israelites waited to build the temple, but we have waited. Sometimes we have waited patiently, sometimes not. Years ago, when I was expounding on how impatient I was about waiting for something that I thought God had promised a pastor reminded me that while we may think that God is a "twelth hour" God, He is always on time and His timing is perfect. We like the people of Israel that Ezra wrote about can give a great shout of praise to God. The city of Redmond has granted the permits for us to begin building the ReCreation Center. Tomorrow, weather permitting, the foundation for the ReCreation Center will start to be laid!!!!!!!!!

God breaks into our lives, in the middle of challenging circumstances to bring us hope. Somehow today the fact that some of us still have no power, heat, etc., fades into the background as we take time to thank God for the things that we do have. We thank God that the city has issued the permits so work can begin. We can thank Him for the many opportunities that we will have to serve those around us in the ReCreation Center.

Good News!!!!!!

2006-12-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

Good news everyone!!! We have received word that our loan with the Ziegler Corporation has been funded. Now we are just waiting for the permits to come from the city of Redmond. Please continue to pray that the different departments that need to sign off on the paperwork will do that in a timely manner. Please continue to pray for the safety of the workers.

A Grand and Glorious Gift!!!!

2006-12-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

What a blessing this Sunday to hear and watch the Spirit Singers and Shining Stars. As we wait in anticipation of the celebration of our Savior's birth, we also wait in anticipation of the issuing of our building permits. I was reminded on Sunday that our new ReCreation Center will be a place that young people (of any age) will be able to come and share their gifts of music, drama, dance. Martin Luther said that "Music is a Fair and Glorious Gift of God". We see and experience that gift everytime we meet as a worship community. During this Advent season as we sing the carols and hymns, we are in touch with the history, we live in the present and look forward to the future in Christ. The carols and hymns of the season help us to remember who we are and tie us to the history and traditions of Christmas. We celebrate the present by participating in the pageants, worship services and opportunities to go out into the community with the Santa Conspiracy. We anticipate the future. We continue to pray for favor with the city of Redmond. We pray for the swift signing of the permits. We pray for the quick funding of our loan. We pray for the workers on the building for their safety and health. We ask the Lord to bless everyone involved, who have given of their time, treasures and talents to build this ReCreation Center. We look forward to the ReCreation Center being a place where young and old can celebrate the gift of music, drama and arts.

The Journey is fun

2006-11-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

Twice a day I walk with my dog around our church property praying for the future of Washington Cathedral. We walk to the point of the hill overlooking the construction site and I stand there like I was Moses asking God to bless the battle. Down below I watch as they are preparing the footings of this incredible sacred building. We walk down the hill and I pray for those who park so far away from our sanctuary on Sundays and ride the shuttle to worship. I stand next to the construction site and it all comes alive to me. Every change no matter how slight is holy to me. I stand by the steel and I ask God to bless the steel. I thank God for all the sacrificial gifts that are building the church. It seems like yesterday that we were breaking ground and there was a mountain there. This is really fun - God is working and that always has an element of adventure.

What is a blog??

2006-10-31T10:58:00.000-08:00

Think of a blog as the old back fence. When I was growing up we knew all of our neighbors. We had picnics, potlucks, played games, shared the good with the bad. Each one of us kids had "alot" of extra parents to watch and encourage us. I remember my parents either meeting the neighbors in the middle of the street or over the back fence. Think of this blog as Washington Cathedral's back fence. So when you are in the neighborhood lean over and share your stories with us.

"Celebrate Life"

2006-10-31T10:43:00.000-08:00

The dirt has been moved and the area where the new ReCreation Center is to be built is being prepared for the next step. We have the steel on site. So we wait in hopeful expectation of the permits being issued. Meanwhile, we look forward to the building being completed and the glass sculpture of the resurrected Jesus with His hands raised to the heavens being placed at the entry. We look forward to the lives that will be celebrated in this new ReCreation Center. We invite you to participate in this dream however you can. Some of you can participate financially and we do need your gifts to complete this project. Some of you will be able to participate in prayer or in serving in some way those are needed as well. However the Lord leads you this blog is for you and the community of Washington Cathedral. Please use this blog to share your excitement, your prayers, and the many ways God has blessed you because of the involvement that you have had or will have in the new ReCreation Center.

New More Convenient Sunday Worship Times Begin October 1st

2006-09-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

New More Convenient Sunday Worship Times Begin October 1st - 9:00 am, 11:00 am & 12:30 pm to Enhance Fellowship Opportunities & Help Ease Parking

To find out more about the changes visit the Washington Cathedral website (http://www.wacathedral.org/Lists/Calendar/DispForm.aspx?ID=869)

Rod & Randy Halvorson Re-Creation Center becomes reality

2006-09-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

After Much waiting to build the Rod & Randy Halvorson Re-Creation Center we finally got approval from the city to have a ground-breaking ceremony and begin construction of roads and other preperation projects. We are on our way for many months of excitement.