"Healing Waters!"

“Go wash in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! John 9:7

There is a long tradition not only in Christianity, but in Judaism about water being involved in the healing process. Remember when the prophet Elisha told the captain of the army that he would be healed of his Leprosy if he bathed in the Jordan river? Many religions and folk traditions point to the healing power of water. It doesn’t take twoseconds watching kids play in a pool to see that something good is going on at a physical and psychological level. We are hearing reports of people with arthritis exercising in the church pool who are showing remarkable recovery and many people of all ages exercising and playing in the water who are seeing amazing results.

Check the pool schedule - some days ladies show up to swim at 6:30am and special classes and groups as well as family swims are occurring more and more frequently. Recently, I received this note and pictures from a dynamic young mom in our church who has a passion to see a swim time for children with special challenges - and the results have been remarkable. No one is staring, no explanations need to be made, just therapeutic laughter and fellowship. So this note is really a thank you to all who have helped make this ReCreation Center possible.

How good it is to be a part of a congregation—a team that tackles the impossible for the glory of God and theblessing of humanity!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

Hi Pastor Tim,

I just wanted to thank you so much for allowing me to do an adaptive swim for the little
ones in our area. It was a wonderful time and sonice to see our babies crawling around,
having fun, swimming freely without any stares or questions. My vision for this sort of
thing is so big, and my hope next week it to have one more family attend or ten more!
It was so fun. We look forward to next Tuesday!

Thanks so much,
Jenna

"God's Gift"

God’s gift to the faithful at Washington Cathedral:

There is nothing so wonderful for a pastor’s heart than to see God’s dream unfold. When I opened up this letter and saw the picture of thanks drawn by two of our children, I knew I had to share with you. The dream of our pool has been a long time coming, but how great it is to hear that it is here, being used by God and blessing the lives of children. Thank you for sharing in the dream.

Dear Pastor Tim,

Anyone who questions having a pool at WashingtonCathedral… hasn’t watched a little boy with autism smile from ear to ear when we arrived at the pool Fridayevening. I cannot express how rewarding it is to see your son with special needs able to be himself - in his favorite environment - that isn’t judging his character. It is trulya gift for him to have such a wonderful place to swim.

Thank you so much for believing and finding a way.

Tonya Baker

"Washington Cathedral is a Family of Churches!"

Washington Cathedral is a family of churches where each “meta” church is a very real family. A family “where everyone knows my name”- - - where everyone has many spiritual brothers & sisters, aunts & uncles, grandpas & grandmas and dozens of cousins!

How Can Many

Really Be One?

“With one spirit and one purpose”- - - so together they are like one warrior. (see Philippians 1:27) Welded together with a “mountain-top vision” now become Washington Cathedral “mission!” The “mission” simply to become and be the world’s greatest caring network.

Each “Meta” Congregation

Each “meta” congregation of Washington Cathedral will have two “co-pastors”, many deacons & deaconesses and a joyful, country-church family. We affectionately call it a country-church family because it will be surprisingly like an American phenomenon which helped build the faith-fabric of our beloved country.

The Return of the Tentmaker

We have had a vision that just might become one of the most significant “turning points” of the 21st Century church! Yet perhaps the biggest surprise of this is that it sounds very much like the 1st Century church and as we have suggested - the forming time of our country.

In 2009 we are witnessing what might be called the perfect storm in terms of reaching people for Christ in the United States. In other places in the world some amazing things are happening, but in the United States huge churches are being built (God bless them) at the same time small churches are closing at an alarming rate. And a colossal part of the problem is the economic turmoil with alarming escalation of costs in building, energy bills and salaries!

The apostle Paul bragged that he did not need wages because he had been God-blessed to meet his own financial needs with an extraordinary gift of making tents. Many churches using one facility- - -now add a new concept- - - “congregational pastors” very unique individuals- - - God-called, God-equipped “tent-making” pastors!

A miracle called- - - “Washington Cathedral’s Meta Church”

"Congratulations to Pastor Scott!"

One of the challenging times in any family is when it is time for a family member to move on to explore a new chapter in their life. Whether it’s a child leaving for college, a son or daughter gettingmarried, or a close friend moving out of the area to take an amazing new job. For Jackie and I we are just beginning to understand the many emotions that come with the “empty-nest” syndrome. We are so proud of each of our children and we are so happy for the new adventures they are on in building their lives, but of course, we do miss them. We would never expect or even want them to forgo their new opportunity just to satisfy our need to have them around. We love them, so we want them to go where God wants them to be.

Just this week, Pastor Scott Burnett, came to tell me that he had an opportunity to take on an exciting new challenge in his career. After much prayer, he had accepted a position as Director of Worship and Arts at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. He feels that it is the fulfillment of a dream he and his wife had for moving back to Seattle, plus an opportunity to have a key position on the staff of one of the foremost Presbyterian churches in the country. I found myself having some of the same emotions I had when my kids moved out of the house, I am so proud and happy for Scott, but I know we will all miss him.

Of all the churches in the Seattle area, we have always had a very close kinship with UPC over the years. They have always been supportive of us—lending us musical instruments, musicians, even their Senior Pastor speaking at our conference. Not to mention, the relationship with my mentor, Bruce Larson, for many years. So it almost feels like Pastor Scott is going to a sister church.

Pastor Scott has been a wonderful asset to our Pastoral team and we have enjoyed the time that he has spent leading our worship. Please help me in congratulating Scott on his new position. Scott’s last weekend as part of our staff is July 11th & 12th. We will have a reception for him on Sunday the 12th at 12:30 in the café. Stop by, sign his card, and wish him well.

(I have appointed a team to do a national search for a new Worship Director for Washington Cathedral. For now, Sara Clark will be leading the Praise Team and I have a great staff of people to help with the other aspects of worship for this interim period.)

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White