Congregational Life

Hope for a More Inclusive Church

I was among those in Tampa who lobbied, demonstrated, and protested for a more inclusive church. I was among those who wept during the floor debate and subsequent failure of the Conference to make any changes in the repressive, judgmental and limited stance of the general church. While I was in Tampa I consoled myself with this mantra, “This is not reflective of my church in Portland, Oregon… nor even of the United Methodist Church in the Western Jurisdiction!”

There was at least one bright spot in the midst of this grief – the General Conference voted to expand the introduction to the Social Principles in the Book of Discipline by adding these words:
“We affirm our unity in Jesus Christ while acknowledging differences in applying our faith in different cultural contexts as we live out the gospel… (and) we stand united in declaring our faith that God’s grace is available to all – that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”

The hope I take from this is some permission for us to continue preaching and practicing openness and inclusiveness in the United Methodist churches of the western United States. Our cultural context not only supports – but cries out for – this kind of faithful response to the Gospel, even if the cultures of Africa, the Philippines, and parts of the southeast US (where most of the support for exclusivity exists) do not.

I was touched recently by someone else’s reflections on the recent General Conference struggles, who wrote about why we stay in the church when it continues to break our hearts:
“The willingness to extend care and even to embody unity with those who are different from us seems like a challenge – but isn’t that what love is? Loving someone who is really, really different – now that’s love. So we stay in families and in churches in order to love the people who drive us nuts, the people who we believe are betraying Jesus and his love, the very ones he died for. We may not be doing it well. But we’re definitely getting a lot of practice. God help us.”

For my part, that helps to put the decision to stay into perspective. I will stay in this church to continue creating a place where Wesley’s kind of Methodism can flourish, where we can practice loving one another and extending that love into the world without restrictions. I will stay in the hopes that by our witness and through our work we may yet bring our beloved church back to its inclusive and prophetic roots.

Blessings,
Rev. Donna

Category Pastor Notes |

Circuit Rider Publication Date Changes

Beginning in June, 2012, the Circuit Rider newsletter will be published once per month. Please make a note of the deadlines and publication dates for the summer.

May 2012

• Tuesday, May 15 – Submission Deadline
• May 23 – Publication Date

June 2012

• Tuesday, June 12 – Submission Deadline
• June 20 – Publication Date

July 2012

• Tuesday, July 10 – Submission Deadline
• July 18 – Publication Date

August 2012

• Tuesday, August 7 – Submission Deadline
• August 15 – Publication Date

You can find current and past issues of the Circuit Rider here.

Category Congregational Life, Headlines |

Is It Just Me?…

We all make mistakes from time to time. It is a part of the human condition, to mess up occasionally, sometimes without even noticing it.

Such was the case for my daughter Kate recently, when she turned to me and asked, “is it just me, or am I really hot in here?” Obviously, Kate’s intentions were good, as she sought to check out everyone’s comfort level. But somehow, unconsciously, Kate’s perspective shifted, and all of her concern became focused on herself.

Is it just me… or am I really hot?!

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. And sometimes, we don’t even notice it when our perspective unconsciously shifts and our concern focuses only on ourselves. It happens to us as individuals, and it can happen to us as a church if we are not careful. It happens when

• we forget Jesus’ instruction to Go into all the world to make disciples and instead wait for the world to come to us
• or when we ask metaphorical or literal questions like Is it just us, or are we uncomfortable if we think about change?

It happens when we decide that we personally do not need to volunteer – that surely someone else will host a coffee hour, or spend the night at our shelter, or teach Sunday School, or sort food at the food bank, or…

It happens when we lose God’s perspective and focus on our own fears, worries, hopes and dreams. Everyone makes mistakes. I pray we will help each other avoid this particular mistake. Because it isn’t really just me (or you) or us together. There is a whole world beyond these walls in need of God’s love and looking for our help. Let us keep that perspective alive and well.

Rev. Donna

Category Pastor Notes |

General Conference, 2012

I have recently returned from Tampa, Florida, where I participated as a “Reserve Delegate” for this year’s United Methodist General Conference. General Conference is the official legislative body of the United Methodist Church. It meets once every four years to develop the structures, rules and theological/social principles which guide our denomination. This year 988 delegates were present, coming from five continents, with 40% of the delegates from countries outside the United States. While we in the US are distressing about the continuing decline in membership, and stressing about the attendant decreases in funding for the church, United Methodism in Africa, and in parts of Asia is rapidly growing. Being a global church is a gift and a challenge to us as we seek to provide relevant ministries in the midst of varied cultural contexts.

As a reserve delegate I spent most of my time at Conference observing the work of legislative committees, and engaging voting delegates in conversation aimed at encouraging particular votes. Members of the Western Jurisdiction met together each day at 7 am to share observations and to strategize on issues of concern to us in the west. This was a great time to reconnect with friends and colleagues and to celebrate our western flavor of United Methodism.

Some of the major actions coming out of General Conference include these:

• The elimination of guaranteed appointments for United Methodist clergy (Prior to this vote, Elders in good standing have been guaranteed an appointment; this new legislation means that it will now be easier for Bishops to encourage ineffective clergy to exit, if they follow a prescribed process.)
• The rejection of a proposal to set aside one bishop (apart from responsibility for any geographic area) whose job would be to preside over the Council of Bishops and supervise the general agencies of the church.
• Entering into full communion with several historically black pan-Methodist denominations. (This would open up the possibility of accepting clergy leadership from these other churches in the Methodist family.)
• Removing the United Methodist Women from the oversight of the General Board of Global Ministries, and making UMW a stand-alone entity in the church.
• Creating and funding a National Plan for ministry with Pacific Islanders.
• Rejecting “positive investment” in Palestine, while also narrowly defeating a proposed divestment in corporations doing business with Israel in order to bring a more just peace for the Palestinians.
• Participating in an Act of Repentance for sins against Native American peoples.
• Retaining the church’s current position on homosexuality, while also adopting a new introductory statement in the Social Principles which allows for faith to be lived out in the context of different cultures.
• Adopting a $603.1 million budget for 2013-2016… which is actually a 6% decrease over the current budget for the denomination.
• Electing new members to the Judicial Council – our “Supreme Court” for the church
• Working diligently on proposed new structures for the denomination

Structure was a big issue for General Conference 2012. We arrived in Tampa with three detailed proposals to make sweeping changes in the way we direct the work of the denomination. One proposal came from the Connectional Table (the current leadership structure), while another was dubbed “Plan B” and sought to soften the Connectional Table’s proposal as a compromise position; and a third proposal came from Methodist Federation for Social Action. At issue in each of these plans was the question of how leadership would be chosen, and the tension between representational leadership (which often leads to large and expensive boards but also provides maximum input from various constituencies), and strategic or visionary leadership (which can have the effect of being more nimble and easy to make changes happen).

After several days of intensive work in the Legislative Committee designed to deal with questions of structure, the whole body debated and perfected a fourth plan – called “Plan UMC”. That plan was then referred to the Judicial Council for its review, and the Council determined it was unconstitutional! So, at literally the 11th hour, the General Conference accepted a proposal from the existing general agencies to voluntarily decrease the size of their boards. The question of structure will undoubtedly be on the agenda once more when General Conference meets here in Portland, Oregon in 2016.

Category Headlines, Pastor Notes |

2012 Compassion Clinic is Almost Here!

2012 Downtown Compassion Clinic on Saturday, June 16th:
New: First Church to Sell Stock Certificates!

First Church is one of the downtown churches that is helping to sponsor the 3rd annual Downtown Compassion Clinic at the Portland Memorial Coliseum on June 16th.

This one-day event is focused on providing free medical and dental care to the underinsured, the uninsured, and the homeless members of our downtown community. Each sponsoring church has chosen an area to support.

First Church, under the guidance of our Church and Society for Social Justice Committee, has pledged to raise $600 for Medical Pharmacy cards. Last year over 350 individuals received medical/dental care and all were able to obtain needed prescription medications through this service.

Beginning on Sunday, May 13th, you will be able to purchase $5 Medical Pharmacy Card “Stock Certificates” in the Commons following church worship.

In July, there will be a Shareholder’s meeting, where you will receive a report on your investment. Thank you in advance for your support of the 2012 Downtown Compassion Clinic.

Please stop by our table on any Sunday between May 13th and June 3rd to purchase shares and to check out the opportunities for volunteering at the clinic.

You can also contact Mark Ohlson (503-228-3195, ext. 220) or Debby Fisher (503-645-4802) if you have questions.

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the website, www.downtowncompassion.org
Or check out the sign-up sheet in Collins Hall on Sundays after worship.

On the Compassion website you’ll find information about volunteer opportunities and a sign-up for this year’s event. As always, there is a special need for licensed dentists, dental assistants, family practice or internal medicine physicians, and registered nurses.

If you, or someone you know, is able to help in this way, please visit the website and add your name to the volunteer sign-ups.

Tags: Edie Jensen and Tom Foster at the 2011 Clinic
Category Church and Society for Social Justice, Congregational Life, Featured, News |

Our Methodist Presence in Oregon’s History: June 25, 2012

A day tour to Salem and surrounds highlighting the role of the Methodist Church in early Oregon history.

Features include Salem First United Methodist Church, followed by a visit and stroll through the campus of Willamette University, linking the role of this early landmark to the history of Oregon.

The next stop will be the Willamette Heritage Center and Mission Hill Museum. A nice café is on-site along with exhibits of fine yarn and wool (lunch costs are on your own).

The last stop will include the historic Honeywood Winery and Gift Shop.

We will gather at the church at 8:00 am and travel by van through the tour and back to the church by 3:30-4:00 pm. There will be some walking and standing on this tour.

Register with Chris Bostick in the church office 503.228-3195 ext 222 or cbostick@fumcpdx.org by June 4. The cost is $20.00.

The First Church Travel Committee occasionally offers local tour opportunities like this one. The day trips are a great chance to see some behind-the-scenes places with friends, as well as meet new people. And there is always something to learn! Everyone is welcome, but register soon to guarantee space!

Category Featured, First Church Travelers |

May 6 Church Library Book Sale

First Church Library is holding another used book sale on Sunday, May 6, before and after worship.

There will be a wide variety of books for sale (fiction, non-fiction, spiritual growth, biographies, self-help, children, youth, etc.).  Pick up a few books to read during your summer vacation.  There will not be another book sale until 2013, so take advantage of the opportunity to stock up.

As usual, all items will not be priced.  You may take as many as you want, and we ask that you give as much as you can (cash or checks only).  All proceeds benefit the First Church Library.

Category Headlines, Library |

Great Expectations

I have great expectations for First Church! I hope you do, too! I have great expectations for our continuing to grow in numbers, and in the depth of our discipleship. I have great expectations for our increasing witness and service to the greater Portland community. I have great expectations for our grounding in joy.

But if we are going to meet (or even exceed) our expectations, we are going to have to decide where we put our attention. There is always a gap between the “here and now” reality and the “great expectations” of the future. There is also a gap between our expectations and our resignation (you know, about the way things have always been… or about how many times we’ve already tried something new… or about the challenges we are facing in any given moment).

Too often we choose to live in the gap defined by our resignation. We know we are in that gap if these signs are present:

• We hold fixed and immutable views
• We prefer reviewing the past to envisioning the future
• Our interpretations of present realities are related to as if they were ultimate truths.
• We exhibit a victim mentality
• We can’t seem to come up with many alternative actions in the face of current challenges
• We passively accept whatever disconnect there is between our preferred future and our current reality
• We are cynical about the possibility of making changes that are proactive, positive and sustainable
• We have given in to despair

Life is an interpretation. And whether our interpretations are empowering or disempowering depends on the choices we make. When we need more possibilities, when we feel stuck in some area of life, we may need to re-examine and to change our interpretations of the present moment. We may need to look for interpretations which open up the greatest number of possible actions.

Carlos Castaneda once remarked, “We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.” Assuming there is some truth in that remark, I for one would vote for strength rather than misery. And I do have great expectations for us all!

Rev Donna

Category Pastor Notes |

Adult Ministries Pot Luck on May 6

On Sunday, May 6 at 5:30 PM in the Fireside Room, come and enjoy a time to learn about our larger United Methodist Church.

Every Four years a body of equal numbers of lay and clergy gather to set the policies and directions for the whole global denomination.

This Quadrennial Session is April 24 thru May 4, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Our own Pastor Donna is a member of this year’s delegation.

On May 6 Pastor Donna will return and share with us her experiences. We welcome Karen and Pastor Donna. All are encouraged to come and bring a dish to share.

Category Adults, Congregational Life, Headlines |

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Early in 2007 some members of our United Methodist Women’s organization expressed a desire to begin a “Prayer Shawl Ministry” in this church.

They were inspired during their attendance at the UMW Assembly in Anaheim, California by hearing about and seeing the results of such a ministry in many churches represented there.  The Prayer Shawl Ministry seemed like such a wonderful way to reach out to someone in need of comforting with a hand knitted or crocheted shawl created in a spirit of prayer and love.

The recipient of a shawl receives the message that someone they may not even know and may never meet has been praying for them as they knitted the shawl and will continue to do so.  The Prayer Shawl is a tangible comforting and warming way to show God’s love to our members and other recipients who may be suffering in body, mind or spirit. 

Prayer shawls are simple gifts of grace from God that are prayerfully and lovingly hand made by our members of this community of faith. Through these shawls, we are all knit together by God’s loving hands and love.

Currently there are a number of women involved in this ministry, and over one hundred shawls have been delivered.  We are grateful for the enthusiastic participation of so many individuals and we are blessed both in the giving and the receiving.

Category Headlines, United Methodist Women |

General Conference Update for April 28

Yesterday at General Conference I had a lengthy conversation with Rev. Dr. Tom Albin, the Dean of The Upper Room, who told me this story about their work in preparing for this Conference. The Upper Room created a Prayer Team to hold our process and all the delegates in prayer. A few months ago someone suggested creating silk “prayer mantles” for all those on the prayer team – about 20 folks.

Everyone thought this was a good idea; in fact, such a good idea that they next decided to make a mantle for each if the 988 delegates to General Conference. Now that seemed a bit more daunting a task, so the team prayed about it. One of the team members reminded the others of these words from Acts 5:38 and 39, concerning one response to the early Christian missionaries: “In the present case, keep away from these men, and let them alone. If this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. In that case you may even be found fighting against God.”

So, Dr. Albin consulted with Rev Alan Morrison, the Secretary of the General Conference, to get permission to distribute the prayer mantles. Alan was intrigued, told Tom he would pray about it, and then came back to say, “It’s a good idea, but what about the 300 reserve delegates?”
So now the number of hand painted silk scarves needed would jump from 988 to 1298!

Tom took a deep breath. “If God is in it,” he reminded himself, this could be done. But Alan wasn’t finished yet. Next he suggested prayer mantles for the 150 bishops, for the members of the worship team, for the musicians, the marshals and pages… By the time their conversation ended Tom had agreed to work with his 3-person team to create 2,012 hand painted prayer mantles!

Which is precisely what they did. Traveling to each of the five US Jurisdictions -using donated frequent flyer miles and staying in private homes – they gathered United Methodists to paint and to pray. (Some of our congregation joined the project one Saturday out at the Collins Retreat Center) So that this General Conference legislative process, and all the participants might be bathed in prayer and centered in God.

All because someone remembered the Bible’s encouragement to try new things, even daunting undertakings. If God is in our plans there will be no stopping us. If not, just let it go. No shame, no blame. Just move onto the next plan, knowing that not everything we try in good faith will succeed, but everything we fail to try will definitely fail.

Good words, these. Encouraging words, for courageous actions. Words for all of us. And for all of us together.

Rev. Donna

Category Pastor Notes |

Adult Ministries Pot Luck on April 29

Sundays April 29 and May 6 at 5:30 PM in the Fireside Room come and enjoy a time to learn about our larger United Methodist Church.

Every Four years a body of equal numbers of lay and clergy gather to set the policies and directions for the whole global denomination.

This Quadrennial Session is April 24 thru May 4, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Our own Pastor Donna is a member of this year’s delegation.

On April 29 Ms. Karen Bolin will be our presenter on what General Conference is and what will be the key issues. Karen was a part of the 2008 delegation and has been a long term active lay woman.

On May 6 Pastor Donna will return and share with us her experiences. We welcome Karen and Pastor Donna. All are encouraged to come and bring a dish to share.

Category Adults, Congregational Life |

General Conference Update for April 27

It’s Friday (I think) afternoon in Tampa. We are starting to tire a little here at General Conference. But the work is getting done. Yesterday and today has been full of legislative committee work as the body considers the many petitions for changes to the Book of Discipline.

The real proof in the pudding will come when the committees’ reports and consent calendar are brought to the plenary session. Often a decision from committee will be reversed by the whole Conference.

Early reports from committee work show a desire for moderate change in our structure, a continuing desire to function as a global church, a concern for the poor, a reluctance to limit the pastor’s authority in receiving members, a desire to retain our Western Jurisdiction (thankfully), and more! Some of the texts I’ve been receiving make me wonder “how long, O Lord, will we have to fight the same battles?”

And then there are the bright moments of hope. Like last night, when Bishop Hoshibata preached a compelling sermon calling for The United Methodist Church to become a healing church which truly welcomes all persons, loves and cares for all of God’s creation, and responds to Jesus’ calling for justice and peace. After a standing ovation for the sermon many delegates left the plenary to join the Reconciling Ministries Network in witnessing for a fully inclusive church.

The young adults here at General Conference also encourage me to think it might be possible for us to become more nimble in mission, more energetic in faith, and more joyful in community. And there do seem to be more of them this year!

And then there is the continuing spirit of camaraderie amongst the delegates and friends from the West. Thanks for your prayers…keep them coming, as the Holy Spirit has much more work to do here in Tampa and in us!

Rev Donna

Category Pastor Notes |

General Conference Update for April 26

The day began with a 7:00 am strategy session for delegates from the Western Jurisdiction, in which we heard reports of all those who were elected to lead the various legislative committees. We reminded one another again of the importance of developing relationships with persons from other jurisdictions – especially from the southeast and south central areas of the US, and with delegates from the Central Conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. For the first time in our church’s history 40% of all delegates come from outside the United States.

While this enriches our community and inspires our faith, it does make for some difficulties trying to agree upon the structures, governance, and even theological standards for the church. The challenge is perhaps most evident in our denomination’s struggle over the full inclusion for laity and clergy who are gay, lesbian, trans-gendered, bi-sexual or queer.

In many parts of Africa, for instance, civil laws criminalize homosexuality, and the culture of the church supports those laws. And there still exists a social conservatism in our own southern states, at least amongst church folk.

This us why we need to work so diligently to develop relationships which will provide opportunities to encourage change, to truly live into what I believe is God’s vision – a church which is open and inclusive, which orders its life with the understanding that a church for all people means for ALL people.

While the road to change still feels like a long one, there are hopeful signs. I see significantly more delegates under 40 years of age here than I saw in Dallas at the 2008 General Conference. Many of them have been elected from annual conferences in the Southeast and South Central jurisdictions. Some of these new delegates have even told us they are with us when it comes to issues of diversity and inclusivity. Many retired bishops, and a few active ones, have openly advocated for change. And there is no shortage of volunteers providing hospitality, engaging in conversation, and witnessing to their passion for justice.

So, the legislative process goes on…stay tuned for more! (Check out the General Conference website, gc2012.UMC.org for up-to-the-minute news)

Rev. Donna

Category Pastor Notes |

General Conference Update: World Malaria Day

Today is World Malaria Day, and the United Methodist General Conference is celebrating the “Imagine No Malaria/Nothing But Nets” campaign we’ve been engaged in along with the Gates Foundation and the NBA. In 2010 malaria claimed one life every 30 seconds. In 2011, one life was lost to malaria every 45 seconds. Today, malaria takes one life every 60 seconds

We are making progress, but still have work to do! For more information or to help make malaria a memory, check out the conference website, www.umoi.org.

You can also join Bill Haden, Bishop Hoshibata and me right here in Tampa by going to www.gc2012.umc.org and clicking on “live stream”.

Category Pastor Notes |