Author: Phyllis Leonard Published: February 12th, 2012
The third Sunday of every month we take a special “Thank Offering” to support organizations beyond the church who are engaged in positive or ministries of compassion and service.
You are invited to share a brief word of gratitude for something or someone in your life as you bring your gift to support these ministries. February 19th our gifts will go to Sisters of the Road Cafe in downtown Portland.
Here is a little information about this organization, taken from their website, www.sistersoftheroad.org:
Since 1979, Sisters Of The Road has been an essential part of the Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood. Sisters offers a space to build community, empower ourselves, learn from one another, dine with dignity and organize for justice and human rights for all.
Sisters Of The Road exists to build authentic relationships and alleviate the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of nonviolence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual, while seeking systemic solutions that reach the roots of homelessness and poverty to end them forever.
Category Global Mission committee, Headlines, News |
Published: January 23rd, 2012
First United Methodist of Portland is sending a Volunteer In Mission team to UMCOR West (Salt Lake City) June 3-9, and there’s still room to sign up if you’d like to go!
Team members will work in the Supply Depot, packaging layette, health and sewing kits, and will also have the opportunity to visit some of Salt Lake City’s cultural attractions, including the possibility of attending a rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
There will be an option for folks to car pool to Salt Lake City (with an overnight stay in Idaho) or they can fly.
The cost of the trip is approximately $600, which includes transportation, lodging at the Episcopal Retreat Center, most meals (prepared cooperatively at the retreat center and local restaurants), insurance and fees to the Supply Depot.
Application forms are available at the church office.
Category Featured, Global Mission committee, Volunteers in Mission |
Published: December 9th, 2011
Dear Friends at Portland First United Methodist Church,
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. It is a time for families to be together. More importantly, however, Christmas is a time for us to remember that God sent his Son for our salvation. The birth of Jesus was the rebirth of hope for humankind.
At Christmas Teca and I remember all those who are important in our lives and who help us in our ministry. We are particularly grateful to our Supporting Churches who enable us to serve here in Brazil. We want to thank each of you and wish you the most joyous holiday season.
Today was a special day. Nearly 350 children and teenagers from 9 of our local Shade and Fresh Water projects here in Belo Horizonte spent a day together in celebration and fun. The entire morning was a Christmas pageant with each project making a presentation for the whole group. It was fascinating to see how each project attentively watched each group’s songs, music, dance and theatrical presentations. Sometimes, people think that religion is for adults. They think that children are too young to understand the deeper meaning of Christmas. Watching the children, however, I could see that they understood the true meaning of Christmas.
For those of us who grew up in America, the story of Jesus born in a manger is something distant. Can any of us really imagine being placed in a cattle food trough for a crib? Slum children however, do not see this as something so very distant. Some sleep three or four to a bed. They or their friends often live in makeshift shacks. Just as there was no place for Jesus to be born, many of the children also understand that they are left out in this world.
For many of the Shade and Fresh Water children, Christ’s beginnings seem like something that could have happened in their own neighborhood. If the King of Kings could be born in a humble setting, they too may be important. So at Christmas time children in our projects sing and dance and say, “Jesus can be born here Brazil”. Let us pray that as we celebrate Jesus’ birth that despite all his glory he is a friend and understands each of us in our daily struggles.
We look forward to hearing from you and want to wish each of you a very very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Your friends in Christ,
Gordon and Teca Greathouse
Category Global Mission committee |
