Congregational Life
Published: February 3rd, 2012
submitted by Vern Groves:
“Environmental Justice and Faith” was the theme of the 3rd Annual Earth Care Summit attended by 8 members of our Planet Church committee on January 30th. They were part of a packed house of over 200 persons from a great variety of religious groups. Sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the event began at 5:30 with a delicious meal of locally grown vegetables and fruits.
It moved quickly into a powerful keynote presentation by Dr. Leroy Haynes, a well-known civil rights leader and now pastor of Allen Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He fired up caring about our Mother Earth who is dying, but he says, “It is still not too late.” His presentation included both information and poetry regarding degradations of the earth for all its creatures as well as the injustices commonly being suffered by minorities and poor people.
Participants then had an opportunity to sharpen their earth caring skills by choosing to attend two of eighteen workshops offered on everything from current solar electric opportunities to the challenge of changing the politics of pollution. The evening closed with an inspiring blessing by Mike Branch from the Muslim Educational Trust.
Hopefully, the renewed vision of our delegation will enrich Planet Church leadership as they make plans to enable our congregation to be better stewards of our planet as we move into the future.
Category Planet Church |
Author: Rev. Donna Published: January 31st, 2012
How to Kill your Own Ideas:
- Expect to receive all the credit
- Never look for a second right answer
- Drag your feet; lack a sense of commitment or excitement
- Run it through endless committees
- Wait for market surveys and full market analysis
- Hold lengthy meetings to explore its merit
- Boost cost estimates, just to be safe
- Set unrealistic deadlines
- Don’t get opinions, ideas, or feedback from others
- Make sure it is the only idea you ever have
How to Generate Even More Ideas:
- Use the “what if” compass – suggest opposite actions to test out an idea. For example, What if we stretch it – or shrink it. What if we combine it – or separate it. What if we appeal to kids – appeal to seniors?
- Use a negative definition – think about what something is not. For example, The conflict is not – life threatening, it is not the first or the last, it is not all we do in church.
- Flip-flop results – think about producing the opposite from what you desire, to give you a new perspective on the problem.
- Challenge assumptions – ask “why” or “why not” with some regularity
- Creative borrowing – what ideas you’ve seen or heard about elsewhere might work for you in your situation?
- Metaphorically speaking – Try using metaphors to describe your problem or see it in a new light.
From What a Great Idea! 2.0 by Chic Thompson
Category Pastor Notes |
Published: January 25th, 2012
Wednesday, February 1st, 7:00 pm, join Pastor Donna at the Goose Hollow Inn for conversation and refreshment.
We’ll look at the Scriptures for the following Sunday and just enjoy each other’s company.
Category Fellowship Opportunities |
Author: Mark Ohlson Published: January 24th, 2012
First United Methodist Church Portland Announces
Ecumenical Bible Discussion Fellowship
A downtown Portland Ecumenical Bible Discussion program has now begun at First United Methodist Church. All interested participants are welcome to attend. Invite your non-Methodist friends to join you for a spirited ecumenical discussion and then head out to lunch afterward!
The format is a discussion group of lay participants and at least one clergy person. The Rev. Joanne Rannells (United Methodist, Ret.) will be present as the group gains momentum and clergy from other denominations join in as they are welcome and invited to do.
Discussions are following the common lectionary for the church year (currently Year B), and the only requirement participants are encouraged to do in preparation is pre-read that week’s scripture and come with a Bible, comments, and questions. A chart of weekly readings will be distributed at the meetings to allow participants a clear understanding of weekly scripture for the next meeting.
This discussion series is designed to enable participants from different traditions to reflect together on scripture through each other’s eyes and share common and divergent points of view. The emphasis is on discussing scripture in the context of the times in which we live.
Plan to join this new ecumenical fellowship group each and every Thursday morning!
Meeting Dates: Each Thursday Morning, 10:30AM to Noon
Place: First United Methodist Church
1838 SW Jefferson St., Portland
Public Transportation: (Located at Goose Hollow MAX station, 18th and Jefferson)
Portland, OR 97201
For more information contact:
Mark Ohlson, First Church Outreach Coordinator
503-228-3195 (ext. 220)
mohlson@fumcpdx.org
Category Fellowship Opportunities |
Author: Rev. Donna Published: January 24th, 2012
One of the things I try to do on a regular basis is swim laps. I’ve not always had the kind of nearly perfect discipline like some of you here, but I do try to get to the pool at least three days a week.
This afternoon I had finished my swim and decided to luxuriate for a few minutes in the hot tub before facing the cold winter weather again. Sitting there, I got to witness a little drama playing out in front of me. There was a young child – probably 3 or 4 years old – whose mother was becoming increasingly frustrated with this child’s unwillingness to venture into the pool for a swimming lesson.
Clearly, there were competing agendas in play. Mom had paid for a swimming lesson. She knew what time it started and how soon it ended. She knew how important it is for every child to learn to swim, to be safe around water, and probably also knew how much joy the water could hold for her child.
The child, on the other hand, knew how scary the pool is, and just how dangerous the water can be to a non-swimmer. The child understood that swimming is not a natural talent, that people are not fish and that clearly she would not be pushed or cajoled or even threatened into the pool.
Watching this drama I was reminded of a couple of things. First, I remembered my own frustration when I found out that I had paid for 6 weeks of ballet lessons for my youngest daughter who spent every class session sitting along the wall, watching the others learn. And I could appreciate that mother’s irritation.
But then I was reminded of something else. When I looked a little more closely at that young girl and saw her ambivalence and her struggle etched upon her face, I was reminded of the very human experience of fear. You could tell just by looking at her – this child wanted to jump into the pool. And, she didn’t want to die doing it.
It is a normal thing for us to fear what we have not yet experienced, or do not know. Even when we stand watching others having the time of their lives. Even when some part of us knows that the new experience, the new adventure, the new territory will probably be a good thing, full of blessings for us, we still may react with hesitation, ambivalence and fear.
It is a normal thing, but it is also a very limiting and potentially life-denying thing if we let our fears alone stop us from risking that new adventure, that new growth, that new experience or territory. In the presence of the swim instructor, or in the midst of the faith community, -surrounded by teachers, family, and friends – we can find ways to enter into the unknown safely. We can find the systems to support us and the mentors to challenge us and the structures to catch us if we fall. But we still have to be willing to take the first step.
Eventually, that mom at the pool gave up trying to force her child into the water. She let go of her hand and walked a few paces away and sat down. Her daughter looked back at her for a moment and then very tentatively, very cautiously moved toward the edge of the pool. Finally, the girl sat down and put one foot in the water and began ever so slightly to splash.
I’m sure it wasn’t the huge success that mom was anticipating from this first day of swimming lessons. On the other hand, I thought it was a victory all the same. One foot in the water… who knows where that will lead?
Category Pastor Notes |
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 Global Mission committee, Volunteers in Mission |
Published: January 23rd, 2012
The Tuesday Bridge Group started more than 30 years ago as an interest group under the auspices of United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church. Originally a “ladies only” activity, the group was later expanded to include men – who, for the first few years, had to play in a separate room! How times have changed! The group has been co-ed for many years.
Women and men get together for the fun and fellowship of “party” or “contract” bridge (not duplicate!) in Room 202 every Tuesday (holidays excepted), beginning at 11:00 a.m. Play generally continues until about 3:00 p.m., with a break for a brown-bag lunch (coffee and tea provided).
The group plays for fun – while expertise is not a requirement, participants should know the basics of bidding and play. No instruction is provided.
Anyone who would like to join the group on a regular basis – or who would like to check it out and see what its all about – is invited to show up on any Tuesday morning. For further information, contact the church office.
Category Fellowship Opportunities |
Author: Rev. Donna Published: January 18th, 2012
The snow started falling at my house yesterday afternoon. It was lovely to watch – especially since I had already decided that my Martin Luther King Jr. holiday would be spent at home, catching up on rest, doing a few creative projects, and enjoying being home.
This morning it was still beautiful, and I appreciated the snow even during the hour it took me to get here to church from Beaverton (a drive which usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes). Now I am hoping that by the time I head home at 8:30 or 9:00 this evening the mercury will not have fallen to freezing so that the roads will be passable.
All in all, I love a good snow. And I chuckle at the excitement it causes us all – especially the television news crews standing watch on the top of Sylvan Hill along Highway 26, or out in the Gorge, or in the Coast Range. It seems we Oregonians just love a good weather story!
As it happened, I was part of a conference call this morning with people from Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Of course the Alaskans thought it was hilarious that many of the team were calling in from home, not daring to drive to their offices with the 3 inches of snow they had on their driveways. I guess it is all a matter of perspective. It’s all in what we’re used to, and what we are prepared for.
At our weekly staff meeting this morning Dwight Dragoo was our facilitator. And he greeted us with our usual agenda, plus a few nicely chosen quotes for the day… all having to do with winter, or with snow. Here is a quick sampling:
“One kind word can warm three winter months”- a Japanese proverb
“A snowflake is winter’s butterfly” – from a Hero Arts stamp
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant…” – Anne Bradstreet
And then there was my personal favorite:
“When it snows, you have two choices: shovel, or make snow angels.” (author unknown)
I hope to remember both of these choices. Because sometimes when the snow falls, either literally or metaphorically, we need to shovel. We need to care for the physical needs of home, family, friends, and ourselves.
And other times, what we really need is to make snow angels – to revel, to play, to rejoice in the moments of surprise, the unusual occurrences in our lives. We need those snow angels every bit as much as we need the cleared sidewalks and bare driveways of our souls. On snow days … and every day.
Rev. Donna
Category Pastor Notes |
Published: January 18th, 2012
Intergenerational Ping Pong is a weekly exercise/fellowship group which meets 5 – 7 pm every Thursday in our gym.
It is a fun way to build friendships and ping pong skills. Its timing enables members of our youth JuBELLation (bell) Choir and our Sanctuary Choir to arrive early and enjoy the fun of this intergenerational group prior to their participation in their rehearsal that same evening.
Everyone from youth to seniors are invited and participants are welcome to arrive and leave at their convenience between 5:00 and 6:15.
Usually somewhere between five and a dozen people show up. Some participants enjoy going out afterwards to share a healthy meal.
one of our youth writes:
I like it so much its because it’s ok if you show up and ok if you don’t. But it’s really fun if you come because everyone is nice and goes easy on you if you arent very good (me) and if you dont know how to play.
Category Adults, Congregational Life, Senior Adults, Youth |
Author: Rev. Donna Published: January 17th, 2012
Here are a few more “killer phrases” – those statements we unconsciously direct at ourselves or each other, which have the effect of convincing us to abandon our creativity in favor of timidity or conformity or even mediocrity:
Stalling
Harry Warner, president of Warner Brothers in 1927, insisted, Who the heck wants to hear actors talk? We all know what happened to the silent movies! What about what has happened to your creative genius when you say things like Take that through a committee…
Comparative Thinking
In 1897 the president of Remington Corporation rejected the rights to the new invention of a typewriter, by saying No mere machine will replace a reliable and honest clerk. Have you ever found yourself in line with that sentiment, uttering words like We’ve always done it this way… It is change for the sake of change.
Catastrophizing
You remember Chicken Little’s famous declaration The sky is falling! What about our tendency to declare things like They’ll clean your clock… People will leave… We won’t be able to pay the bills.
Zero Defects
Some anonymous quality controller quipped, Do it right the first time. A nice sentiment, but what happens if we need the trial and error in order to grow? Ever hear yourself suggesting If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it… Leave well enough alone…We’re okay…?
I wonder what might happen in your life (or in mine) if just for a season – a few days maybe, a few weeks, even a month – we imposed a moratorium on these creativity killers? What might happen if we paid attention to the phrases emanating from our lips and stopped them before they left? What might happen if instead we consciously chose to live as if we believed we are created in God’s image and therefore all of us – every one of us – is a creative genius?
Category Pastor Notes |
Author: Alyson Inouye Published: January 16th, 2012
First Church Library will hold the first of its two 2012 book sales on Sunday, Feb. 5, before and after worship in Collins Hall.
There will be a wide variety of titles for sale (fiction, non-fiction, books for children, cookbooks, crafts, Bibles, spiritual memoirs, etc.).
Even the most die-hard e-book convert might find something of interest. Books will not be priced. You may take what you want, and we ask that you give what you can (cash or checks only).
All proceeds benefit the First Church Library.
Category Library |
Published: January 13th, 2012
Stephen Ministry will be hosting the Library Book Table during coffee hour in Collins Hall on the 3rd Sunday of the month beginning Jan 15 through May 20.
This is the first time our Stephen Ministry books & resources will be on display for the convenience of our congregation during the coffee hour.
Our book collection & local resources will help you find information and positive steps in coping with difficult life issues, such as the death of a spouse, parent or child, coping with aging, breast cancer, suicide, and abuse.
These practical guides are based upon classic research, clinically tested advice, and personal journeys. Our collection includes some books written specifically for children.
Stop by to see us, check out a book or chat with the team on January 15, February 19, March 18, April 15 and May 20!
Category Library, Stephen Ministry |
Author: Rev. Donna Published: January 10th, 2012
Named for the Roman god Janus, the protector of doorways and gates. You may remember from your mythology classes that Janus is always pictured with two faces, one looking to the past and the other facing the future. How interesting that those early Romans thought about protection needing to involve both the past and the future!
At the beginning of another calendar year, it might be good to employ a little bit of Janus’ genius. It might be good for us to protect our doorways, our gates, our passages, if you will. It might indeed be wise for us to protect this new year from the regrets and the leftover fears of the year just past. Likewise, it might serve us well to protect 2012 from the rigid expectations and imagined outcomes we place upon the future.
Those Romans may be onto something. Something which goes beyond resolutions easily made and even more easily broken. To be protected in this present moment, traveling through the gate from 2011 into 2012, could be a very good thing, indeed.
And I believe it is a possibility! Not because I am looking for Janus to save us; but rather for the wisdom he imparts. Let us not be trapped in our past nor lost in our future. Let us be here, today. Because it is January!
Donna
By the way… Did you know January is National Diet Month? No surprise there, for sure… but what about these other celebrations: Prune Breakfast Month? Bread Machine Baking Month? National Egg Month? National Hot Tea Month? Oatmeal Month? National Hobby Month? National Book Blitz Month? National Radio Month? Or how about my personal favorite… National Be On Purpose Month?!
Category Pastor Notes |
Published: January 10th, 2012
Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries Megan was born in Minneapolis, MN and raised in Waukesha, WI with two brothers. Both of her parents are ministers. Her father is the Chaplain at Carroll University and her mother is an associate pastor and teaches introduction to writing. Megan received her BA from Pacific University in English Literature and Feminist studies. She then moved to Boston and worked at Fourth Presbyterian Church in South Boston, in urban and children’s ministries. She also was a member of the Greater Boston Interfaith Or- ganization and participated in training volunteers in advocating for community issues. Megan then came back to Portland. She started her position at First Church starting in May 2008. In her free time Megan enjoys drinking coffee, exploring nature, singing and any kind of aerobics from step class to Zumba.
At First UMC Megan enjoys working with all generations, hearing people’s stories, hearing why they have come to this church. She likes being able to call on the wisdom of all ages, talking and collaborat- ing with the committees and seeing how the commit- tees actively support the church functions.
She has started a weekly email to the parents, children and youth: “What’s Up Wednesday” for the children and “Shout Out” for the youth. She also is pleased about the development the First Church website.
Megan states that she hopes to put more focus on facilitating the parents and committee members to become the leaders of the children and youth education and activities. This would allow her to have more time to facilitate creating connections within the children, youth and parents of the church. Megan also hopes to be free to attend sports games and other extracurricular activities that our kids participate in and to start making personal phone calls on a regular basis.
Her hopes for creating more involvement for the youth are to enable them to participate in the Sunday service such as reading the liturgy and ushering.
Category Staff, Staff-Parish Relations Committee |
Published: January 9th, 2012
We will continue our new way of receiving gifts for local missions with our “Thank Offering” this coming Sunday, January 15th.
Please come prepared to say just a word of thanks for specific people, occasions, opportunities in your life as you bring an offering to help support the Macdonald Center here in Portland.
Presently the Macdonald Center serves about 350 people each week who are living in single room occupancy hotels downtown. Their work helps to keep these people in current housing and off the streets.
Here is a little bit about the Center’s work from their own website at www.macdcenter.org:
“The Macdonald Center enhances the lives of the forgotten poor through relationships, service and housing. We foster sacredness and dignity of all individuals, building community by breaking down isolation through outreach and hospitality for low-income residents. We are ‘Hope in the Heart of Portland.’”
Category Church and Society for Social Justice |
