On August 17-22, immediately following the close of the Portland Area Bible Students Convention, for the first time ever, the BSRC hosted the 2015 West Coast Bible Students Youth Camp. A total of 17 campers were in attendance at the Youth Camp, ranging in age from early to late teens, high-schoolers and college students, most from the Northwest area but some from as far away as Saskatchewan, southern California, M i c h i g a n , Indiana, and

West Virginia. The BSRC turned out to be an ideal setting for the youth camp. It provided a loving, sup-portive, and peaceful envi-ronment, and it accommo-dated for the campers’ vari-ous activities. All the study sessions and some vesper services were held in the chapel or on the central lawn. Most meals were served in the Dining Room of the Main House. Campers shared lunch with the residents, with much opportunity for interaction. The girls’ overnight accommodations were in the “exercise room” adjacent to the chapel and the boys were in tents located within the Bunny Patch, a grassy area immediately inside the main gate. Evening camp-fire songfests were held most nights in the

Bunny Patch.

Every day, there was a doctrinal study in the morning, followed by a character study in the afternoon. Each study was led by a different elder. (Due to the convention that preceded the camp, several elders were able to stay over and participate.) Scheduled activities included the Art Project (two very unique and successful painting lessons given to the young people by Shirley Evans), an offsite waterfall hike in the Columbia

Gorge, two swimming out-ings, basket-ball, singing by the campfire, group break-out sessions and discus-sions. Michael Colletti, a local elder and resi-dent of the BSRC, con-ducted two indoor vesper services, and provided music support ser-vices through-

out the week. Dariusz Grudzien, also a local elder, conducted a unique evening meeting with campers and residents which gathered info on favorite scrip-tures, family, life experience, and goals which sparked dialog, insights, and inspiration. This was followed by young musicians playing on their instruments while brethren sang along from the

campfire songbook. Music filled the room! At the closing vesper service of the Camp, the young people serenaded the adults in the chapel with a selection of favorite camp songs plus

The BSRC Hosts a Youth Camp ~ Receives Blessings in Return

Fall 2015 Newsletter

The BSRC 1801 NE 201st Ave. Fairview OR 97024 Tel.: 503.661.7045 Fax: 503.491.1556 TheBSRC@gmail.com Internet web site www.thebsrc.org

CONTENTS

The BSRC Hosts a

Youth Camp

1

Center News and

Events

2

Full Occupancy - And we couldn’t be more thankful!

3

New Resident - Glenda Hawke

3

New Residents - Richard and Shirley Evans

3

New Resident - Paul Mali

4

some traditional selections from the Hymns of Dawn. The songs were charming and spirited - made all the more so by the inclusion of a ukulele played by one of the young people! Then the young people lined up in front to sing the final selection, Hymn #372 – Nearer, Still Nearer. That particular hymn is beautiful enough in any setting. But when sung in that setting by those young people, it was inspirational. There was scarcely a dry eye in the room. The hymn seemed to sum up the central theme and inten-tion of the entire camp week – Nearer, Still Near-er. And it seemed to signal that the week had indeed been very successful in leading these young people to a closer, nearer walk with the Lord. These young people had a refreshing, energiz-ing and enriching effect on the adults and seniors who worked with them, served them, watched them at play. Maybe it was triggered by distant recollections of watching their own kids grow up. Maybe it was triggered by distant recollections of what it was like to be young themselves. In any case, it was a sweet, time-bridging, life-affirming experience, as reported by many of the adults in attendance.

Center News and Events During the summer months, the Center was a “hub” of activity. Following the Associated Bible Students’ June convention, a large gathering assembled at the Bunny Patch, where over 125 fellowshipped. They enjoyed listening to accordi-on music and acappella singing while feasting on BBQ hot dogs, hamburgers, and all the trim-mings. The young, as well as the young at heart, engaged in lively games of horseshoes, bocci ball, and frisbee. July brought the annual outdoor picnic, held this year on the new deck adjacent to the chapel. The residents as well as many local brethren enjoyed the good food and fellowship. Members of a newly formed group participated in a six-week class: Living Well with Chronic Conditions, led by instructor, Andrea Schroeder. Sessions were held each Thursday morning for upwards of two hours. In August, Eunice Beeman's son-in law and three of his car enthusiast friends came to the Center with their classic cars for a hot dog and ice cream soda “Cruise In.” This different and unique activity was enjoyed by many a car buff. Richard Bieniak, one of our resident “snow birds,” led a study followed by an ice cream so-cial which was enjoyed by all in the warm, sunny weather. Near August's end, the Portland Area Bible Students held their convention which was followed by a picnic on the courtyard lawn be-tween the Main House and H, F, and D buildings. Approximately 115 were in attendance. In September, many traveled to the Seattle ar-ea to attend the Labor Day weekend convention. Others listened to the broadcast over in-house channel 981 and enjoyed a Labor Day picnic on the chapel deck. Near month's end, many travelled to Champoeg State Park for a two-day campout in tents, yurts, and cabins. This fellowship/study weekend served to remind participants of their responsibili-ties to study to show themselves approved unto God. Gwen Evans of England accompanied the group, making it an international event. As September drew to a close, 31 brethren, including residents and five others, enjoyed a ride on the Columbia Spirit Sternwheeler two-hour boat cruise. It was a lovely, sunny day. The views were breathtaking and awe inspiring.

Directors 2015-2016 Michael Costelli PO Box 6235 Gulfport MS 39506 Tel. 228.861.2822 michael@Simpkins-Costelli.com

Rachel Griehs 763 East Parker Street Langhorne PA 19047 Tel. 267.456.8889 rgriehs@comcast.net

Sandra Koterba 142 Camp Road Gloversville NY 12078 Tel. 518.613.4326 sandykoterba@gmail.com Michael Lucas 46 So Triangle Road Hillsborough NJ 08844 Tel. 908.874.7969 docwidget@gmail.com Nannette Nekora 1425 Lachman Lane Pacific Palisades CA 90272 Tel. 310.454.5248 NPNekora@aol.com Doug Rawson 7161 Josslyn Drive

San Jose CA 95120 Tel. 408.997.6736 rawsondr@yahoo.com Dawn Shallieu 1041 Johnston Drive Watchung NJ 07069 Tel. 908.756.4954 dshallieu@aol.com Tamara Wesol 351 Willow Rd NW Los Ranchos NM 87107 Tel. 505.344.4784 ttwesol@comcast.net

Resident Director Chris Grigalunus Tel. 503.667.2796 gbear1874@comcast.net

Resident Advisors Lois Austin Tel. 503.577.3357 loisaus10@gmail.com Dan Wojcik Tel. 503.459.2724 danwojcikdcw@gmail.com

Page 2 Fall 2015 Newsletter

Wahclella Falls in the Columbia Gorge

Page 3 Fall 2015 Newsletter

BSRC 2015-2016

Members: 244 Residents: 33

Non-residents: 211

Units available: 0

Directors Michael Costelli Chairman Sandra Koterba, Secretary Doug Rawson, Treasurer Rachel Griehs Michael Lucas Nannette Nekora Dawn Shallieu Tamara Wesol Chris Grigalunus [Resident Dir.] Board Committees

Admissions Dawn Shallieu

Communications Tamara Wesol

Finance and Audit Rachel Griehs Management Michael Costelli Nannette Nekora Tamara Wesol Chris Grigalunus

Personnel Michael Costelli Nannette Nekora Tamara Wesol

Marketing Rachel Griehs

Membership Nannette Nekora

Planning & Construction Michael Costelli Michael Lucas

Policies & Procedures Dawn Shallieu Social Services Chris Grigalunus Resident Advisors

Lois Austin Dan Wojcik Center Management Team

Operations Manager Resident Director Resident Advisors

Full Occupancy - And we couldn't be more thankful!

As of mid-October, we have a full house. Every unit is occupied! Truly our cup runneth over! We are so grateful to the Lord for His mercies and blessings! It’s been many years since we have had full occupancy and we couldn’t be more excited and thankful for this blessing which the Lord has poured out upon us. As brethren are finding out that we no longer have any units available, our Waiting List is growing. If you are considering a move to the Center in the near future, please contact the Admissions chair and make sure that your name is on the Waiting List. When a unit becomes available, we will contact those on the Waiting List in priority order.

Glenda Hawke moved back to the BSRC in June. She was born in Portland, Oregon, but raised in Stevenson, Washington. As a child, Glenda attended the Nazarene Church. As a young adult she decided that the message taught was not what she was looking for and did not frequent any church. She later became involved in Scientology because of its emphasis on health and God. While attending a naturopathy clinic, she met Tim Krupa. Some-thing about him seemed different. At some point, he gave her a booklet entitled: “What Can a Man Believe?” Glenda feels that the reading of this publication helped lead her to the Lord and His Truth. Early in 1997, she consecrated and was im-mersed. She began attending the Portland Area Bible Students ecclesia. She later moved to the BSRC, occupying three different units while

waiting for the one to become available which she felt would best meet her long-term needs. While living at the BSRC, she was a caregiver for many of the other residents. However, she left the Center in order to help care for her own

mother. Glenda and her daughter subsequently started a business in Aurora, Oregon. Since moving back to the BSRC, she now commutes to and

from her place of work. Glenda is so thankful when she walks through the doorway to her peaceful abode. She looks forward to spending more time with the brethren

and in her “new home.”

Shirley and Richard Evans moved to the BSRC in August. Shirley was an active member of the Chicago ecclesia for 30 years. She was involved in the painting of 30-foot murals for the Chicago Flower and Garden witness exhibits and assisted in the formation and presentation of For This Cause, traveling extensively throughout the country with it. Shirley also utilized her graphic design skills to format and illustrate two books: Songs of the Nightingale and Deep Waters and a Bubbling Brook, as well as the production of Sweet Songs of Ancient Israel and a soon-to-be republished book entitled, Too Many Doors. In the 70’s, Shirley was part of a round-the-world Bible Student trip where she saw the pyramids in Egypt and visited with brethren in Nigeria, India, Australia, New Zealand, and England. Subse-

quently, Shirley returned to Nigeria four times.

Richard was born and raised in Oklahoma. His parents began studying with a small group of Bible Students when he was a teenager. They quickly left Christendom and consecrated.

Shirley and Richard Evans

Glenda Hawke

Page 4

BSRC

Visit us on the web! thebsrc.org

“...Prove me now...if I

will not open you the

windows of heaven,

and pour you out a

blessing, that there

shall not be room

enough to receive it.”

—Malachi 3:10

Richard served in the Navy and Air Force where his electrical engineering degree was used both domestically and overseas. While packing to move to a new location, Richard came across a set of Studies in the Scriptures given to him by his parents. He read them, became convinced of the truth, and consecrated. He had planned on a full 30-year stint in the military, but decided to retire after 27 years of service. Richard then devoted several years to intensive study of God’s Word, became involved in the ministry of Bible Students, and made numerous overseas trips

spreading the Word. At a Bible Students convention, Richard and Shirley met and were soon married. Together, they have lived and served wherever the Lord has led, with a particular focus on the work in Africa and Japan, where they had the privilege of meeting with brethren for three months every year for five years. Richard and Shirley met with the Fresno Bible Students for several years and later moved to the Portland area where they have been members of the Associated Bible Students of Portland for fifteen years. Shirley has served on the Board of Directors for the BSRC. Richard is now involved in preparing a book for Jewish readers, outlining God’s purpose for the nation of Israel. They both look forward to more

opportunities of service to the Lord.

Paul Mali, an elder in the Groton, CT, ecclesia has decided to make the BSRC his home away from home. He was born and raised in Hartford, CT, to a family of Italian Catholic immigrants who moved to America for a better life. His father

came in contact with the Truth through an Italian brother. As a teenager, Paul was exposed to the Truth movement through Sunday Schools and picnics where he met his wife, Mary. They shared a love for the Lord, and, had “eyes for

each other.” At age 19, Paul consecrated. “The life of Jesus really impressed me and led me to the Lord.” Paul was the first in his family to go to college. With Mary’s support, he was able to earn a PhD in management, and he became a university pro-fessor and management consultant. This opened the door for Paul and Mary not only to do exten-sive travel (to 27 countries), but allowed them to live in several countries for extended periods through Paul’s university professor exchange program. Paul taught 7 semesters at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, 7 semesters at an MBA graduate program in Paris (where they attended the Lamorlaye ecclesia and became very close to the French brethren), and several semesters in Switzerland (which allowed them to create

tender ties with other brethren in Europe). Paul conducted tours of Bible lands for brethren over the years, including the Jerusalem Conven-tion and Tour (in 1993 for 307 brethren from 9 countries), Greece and the 7 Churches (in 1995 for 95 brethren from 6 countries), Rome and the Early Church (in 1999), and an Israel Tour (in 2011 for 43 brethren). He also has had the op-portunity of serving the brethren in Africa, espe-cially by helping to set up Leadership seminars for the elders. A great blessing for him was an opportunity to go to China and present a witness

in universities in 5 different cities. Over 30 years ago, Tim Krupa approached Carl Hagensick and Paul with the idea of a Bible Students retirement center. This core group got the ball rolling, and what a joy it is to see how the

Lord has blessed this effort over the years. Last year, after 66 years of marriage, Mary finished her course. Paul feels that being amongst others of like precious faith on a daily basis is important. So Paul has decided to make the BSRC his second home, in addition to his home in New London, CT, and in between travel-

ing to be with brethren. The most recent residents to move to the BSRC are Rosemary Wojcik and Ruth Eldridge. You

will learn more about them in our next newsletter.

Paul Mali