Unless you've been living in a cave recently, you know that we're going through a severe economic downturn.  Every week, we hear more doom and gloom news about all things economy related.  This city and our church community have also been impacted as well. We've seen many in our city affected by foreclosures and many in our church affected by layoffs and financial anxieties.  To my estimation, at least 10% of our church have been laid off in the past six months.

But in the midst of this, we're still called to maintain our faith in God.  In fact, the invitation is actually bolder: Grow our faith in God.  While it may be hard to see, there's an immense upside during this economic downturn as well:  It gives us at Quest more opportunities to be agents of care and grace to the city, world, and one another.

During our annual Giving Sunday campaign in November, you gave generously towards our goal of raising $50,000.  While we didn't meet the goal, we were darn close at $49,520.06. As we shared with the church community, we partnered with two local food banks at Ballard and White Center because of the food crisis impacting our fellow Seattlites.  A couple weeks ago, I had a chance to visit the White Center Food Bank upon their invitation and learned that their clients have increased from 1000 families/month to 2000 families/month!  Check out this video from the WC food bank:

 Here are some other examples Quest have sought to an agent of grace and care in the past couple months:

• Partnered with a local Karen/Chin churchplant community with $3000 in grocery cards.

• The To the Streets Ministry served 139 people from the 'homeless' community over Thanksgiving and continue to build their presence during their monthly distribution and relationship meetings.

• We partnered with Q Café for a benefit concert for the Nickelsville community and raised nearly $3000.

• Global Market hosted by the Global Presence Ministry raised $3806.21 in December for causes around the world.

• And each month, our co-conspirators Q Café, donate 10% of their sales to a local non-profit doing great work locally or globally.  For this month, the proceeds go to Operation Nightwatch.

And this doesn’t include stuff that individuals and community groups are doing through the Good Neighbor Fund.  In short, we want to thank you for your generosity and partnership.

But as we seek to love the city and the larger world, we're also committed to caring for one another during this economic downturn. Hear this carefully: No one at our church should be homeless, be hungry, be without electricity, or not have access to certain basic but essential needs. You gave nearly $25,000 specifically to help Questers and we have additional funds in our budget to help those in need.  Numerous have asked if the church community is doing okay because they're prepared to give beyond their normal giving to give more.

In short, this is an opportunity for us to care for one another as well.  You're not alone – we are family and the Body of Christ to one another.  If Quest is your home church and you're in need of some financial assistance, please email Pastor DeAnza at deanza@seattlequest.org.  Your request will remain anonymous.

Lastly, if you've been laid off recently, looking for work, or simply unsure about your vocation, Quest is hosting a Vocational Revisioning Group for two months on Sundays from 3-4.30pm at the Q Café and beginning this Sunday the 8th.  Simply, we want to remind people that they're not alone.  Join the facilitator, J.P. Kang, for fellowship, discussion, prayer, Scriptures, and encouragement.  To RSVP or for more information, contact office@seattlequest.org.
 

P a s t o r  E u g e n e  C h o  |  Lead Pastor  |  http://eugenecho.com

THIS WEEK AT QUEST | NEW EVENTS | COMMUNITY NEWS

• DAYLIGHT SAVINGS REMINDER - SPRING FORWARD. This Sunday, March 8th is the beginning of Daylight Savings time! Please remember to set your clocks an hour ahead on Saturday night. 

• COMMUNITY GROUPS. Community Groups meet throughout the week throughout the greater Seattle area. C-groups are a vital part of the depth and authenticity of the Quest community. For a full list of c-groups and to sign up for a c-group, visit the c-groups homepage. If you have any questions or would like help finding the right c-group for you, contact jason@seattlequest.org.

• WHY THE HOMELESS? DEPTH CLASS. Join as we engage in a discussion about how best to care for our homeless community. We will be having a panel discussion with local advocates including Tim Harris (director of Real Change), Craig Rennebohm (chaplain to the homeless and author of Souls in the Hands of a Tender God), Rev. Rick Reynolds (director of Operation Nightwatch), Dustin Cross (Pastor at Nickelsville), Bill Kirlin-Hacket (director of Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness), and Rev. Monica Corsaro (director of Social Justice Ministries at the Church Council of Greater Seattle). Monday, March 16th at 7pm in the Quest Church sanctuary. For more information, please contact deanza@seattlequest.org.

• LIVE MUSIC @ THE Q. Friday - Michelle Lang, Stillwater's Obnoxious, Tayla. Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm. All ages - $7. Saturday - Benefit Show for Not For Sale w/ Jenny Vick and Danielle Henry. Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm. All ages - $5 suggested donation. For more information or to volunteer during future live music shows, contact melissa@qcafe.org.

• OPEN MIC. Tuesday nights from 6:30-9pm at the Q Café, hosted by Victory Music. For more info, visit their website: www.victorymusic.org.

• HANDICRAFT NIGHT. Join us for fun, fellowship and lots of crafts! The handicraft night will be happening the first Friday of every month beginning Friday, March 6th. For location information and to RSVP, please contact Laurel at iheartcmp@gmail.com.

• NEWCOMER’S DINNER. New to Quest? Join us at the Q Café on Thursday, March 5th at 7pm. Dinner’s on us! To RSVP, contact jennifer@seattlequest.org.

• iQ MEMBERSHIP CLASS. Interested in pursuing membership at Quest? Come to the iQ class on Saturday, March 7th from 9am–12:30pm at the Q Café. To RSVP, contact office@seattlequest.org.

• LIFE TOGETHER. Life Together invites you to come join us for a chii feed and game night March 7th from 6-10pm in the church basement. Dinner will be provided (there will be chili for both carnivores and vegetarians) and we'll have games set up, including Rock Band! It will be a great opportunity to meet new folks and connect with other post-college Questers. For more information and to RSVP, contact team-life-together@googlegroups.com.

• INTERGENERATIONAL POTLUCK. Formerly known as the Interbay Potluck, we'd like to invite Questers of all ages to join us for a potluck this Sunday, March 8th at 5pm in the Quest Basement. Come for the food, good conversation and great fellowship! If you have questions, please contact wendy@seattlequest.org.

• LEARNING TO LAMENT DEPTH CLASS. We all experience grief and loss. The apostle Paul exhorts us to "weep with those who weep" (Ro. 12:15). How do we do that? How do we lament and grieve for others and ourselves? The psalmist invites us to learn that "weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Join Pastor Ray as together, we learn to lament. Monday, March 23rd at 7pm at the Q Café. For more information and to RSVP, contact jason@seattlequest.org.

• RAISING KIDS OF FAITH - A QUEST LIFECOURSE. All kids are made in the image of God and therefore are spiritual beings. Children are rewards from God. How can we understand them with God's view and how should we raise them in this dangerous world?  Join other Quest parents as we discuss ways to nurture our children's faith, and learn how to instruct and shepherd our children in the home, church, school and the world. Saturday, April 4th from 9am-12:30pm; lunch and childcare will be provided. For more information and to register, click here. If you have questions, contact katey@seattlequest.org.

• HOMELESS CARE PACKAGES. The Sunday C-group has made 100 Homeless Care Packages containing non-perishable foodstuffs, socks and other items that will be valued by those who are on the streets. We’re selling the packages this Sunday, March 8th after the two morning services for $5 per bag (or 5 bags for $20). We’d love you to buy one or more to keep handy so that you can minister to a homeless person as you travel around Seattle. If you have questions, contact Louise Sneath at louise@sneath.org.

• YOUTH MINISTRY DIRECTOR. Quest is currently accepting résumés for the Youth Ministry Director position. A full job description is available here. Please submit your cover letter and résumé as well as any questions you may have to office@seattlequest.org.

FUTURE QUEST CALENDAR