Author: Cheryl Luce Published: February 26th, 2013
Enjoy the full day Hood River Blossom Festival Tour on April 20, 2013 exploring the Columbia Gorge, escorted by a professional tour guide and traveling in a comfortable motor coach.
Our first stop is spectacular Multnomah Falls and then on to the beautiful Hood River area.
Viewing from Panorama Point, we capture the scenic apple and pear blossoms of the Hood River Valley.
We’ll visit Cascade Alpaca Farm next, where we will see and learn about alpacas and visit a knitting shop.
The next stop is Parkdale for lunch. Lunch is on your own with several options such as the Parkdale Grange who serves a wonderful lunch for $10, or choose from several restaurants.
After lunch we will drive to the Fruit Company where we learn about the apple and pear industry.
We gather at First Church at 8:00 AM and return by late afternoon, around 4:30 PM. Cost is $49.00/person for the full day tour with transportation included.
Registration is limited to 20 participants. Register in the Church Office 503.228-3195 by March 15, 2013.
Author: Cheryl Luce Published: February 14th, 2013
River cruising in Europe is our favorite way to go! The First Church Travelers trip in October of 2014 will include a 7-night river cruise on the Elbe River in Germany, and stays in the historic cities of Berlin and Prague.
It may seem like this is a long time away–but on a 90 passenger ship, space can fill quickly! Join First Church members and friends on this wonderful way to see the world!
Join us for this popular event on March 5th as professionals read the Pulitzer Prize play, Lost in Yonker’s, by Neil Simon.
The setting is the Old Church in downtown Portland.
We meet at First Church at 9:00 AM and carpool to the Old Church. Following the play we return to the Oregon Culinary Institute for a very special lunch.
Registration is $22.00 for the play tickets and lunch with a limit of 20 participants.
Register in the Church Office 503.228-3195 by Feb 14, 2013.
Join us on Saturday, February 2nd for a tour to the Guide Dogs for the Blind School located in wooded Boring, Oregon. We will first attend a graduation ceremony commemorating the efforts of the students and their dogs that have just completed the required training program.
A lunch stop in Sandy is planned prior to the ceremonies and a guided tour of the school is scheduled following this event. Gather at First Church at 9:45 AM; projected return is 4:45 PM. Registration is $14.00/person including transportation; lunch is at your own expense.
Families with small children are also welcome at a cost of $14.00/family, however they should plan on using their own car. Register at the Church Office by January 25th.
The Travel Planning Committee announces a Virtual Tour of Mali, West Africa with Philip Greenberg as guide.
Experience the vibrant human condition where unique cultures overcome a stark and challenging evironment in this landlocked African nation, home to the fabled city of Timbuktu.
Mali has seen a rebellion in a coup d’etat which subsequently left the northern half of the nation in control of extremist groups.
Guest appearance by Baba Wague Diakite, a local artist and storyteller from Mali, will highlight the presentation.
This program will take place on Sunday, November 4 in the Fireside Room, beginning at 11:45 following worship. It is free and requires no prior registration.
Join us for this popular event where we examine the history and basic doctrines of various faiths.
We will gather at the Church at 8:30 AM and travel to the stately Portland Mormon Temple; Beaverton Baha’i Center, with roots in Iran, Turkey and Israel; and the magnificent St. Mary’s Cathedral.
A lunch stop is planned (at your own expense); we return to the Church about 4:00 PM. The cost is $12.00 per person.
Register through the Church Office (503-273-8173) by November 12th.
Author: Cheryl Luce Published: September 6th, 2012
Join us Sunday, September 30th in the Fireside Room at noon for a slide presentation on the Islands of New England, the 2013 tour sponsored by First Church Travelers. The tour in September, 2013 will explore the charms of New England, from the cobblestone streets of Nantucket to the traditional cranberry bog.
New England’s sandy beaches, majestic coasts, and rolling surf invite relaxation and unique experiences. Visit places you’ve always heard about: Cape Cod, Hyannis, Martha’s Vineyard, Plymouth Rock, as well as Boston and Providence, RI. Come on the 30th to learn more about this opportunity to travel with friends, old and new.
Scotland was on my “bucket list” for many years–especially since reading Diana Gabaldon’s books (Outlander; 1991), and our visit to Edinburgh after the Great Britain trip several years ago. I was very pleased when it was chosen for our 2012 First Church Travelers destination–and it did not disappoint!
There are always “pinch me”, am I really here?, moments during a trip, and the first for me was arriving at our Edinburgh hotel and looking up to see Edinburgh Castle overlooking us, just a couple of blocks away. A perfect location, day and night! It was a delight to wander this wonderful, historic place with our tour, and on our own. And the chance to taste the local fare at the pubs by the hotel!
The powerful history of Scotland was everywhere with us. From the beautiful links course at St. Andrews, to the courtly Dunrobin Castle, we were able to experience the feeling of the history of the place. It is hard for us to comprehend the site of graves at Clava Cairns that date back to 3,000 B.C., and the village of Skara Brae, also from that time, existing for 500 years before being buried in shifting sands. But the 1746 Battle of Culloden was brought vividly to life at the visitors center, and it was a powerful sense of the fierce and tragic battle that was pivotal for Scotland–and beyond.
Probably a highlight of the trip for the group was the glorious day on the Orkney Islands. Although we had some sun every day of the trip (note what an amazing thing that is in itself!), the day we went to the Orkneys was spectacular! The trip by ferry took us to a lush green, rolling landscape, dotted here and there with charming homes and grazing sheep. And with all of the churches one always visits in Europe, two special ones are there: St. Magnus Cathedral, over 860 years old, and the Italian Chapel, built by WW II Italian prisoners of war. Two extremes of architecture, and both a powerful experience.
At the end of the day, however, it is the people that “make” the trip. From the experience of the history of the people of Scotland, to the shopkeepers you engage in conversation. We had some outstanding local guides–in the Orkneys; at the whisky distillery in Pitlochry; the falconer at Dunrobin Castle… Their passion for their homeland and eagerness to share it with us, brought Scotland to life. The best part for me was the chance to travel with the First Church Travelers in our group. It is such fun to share the adventure, sharing our stories over meals, and getting to know each other in ways we never could otherwise. It enriches the whole trip to see a new place through each other’s eyes–we see things we would have missed! I find it a powerful thing, to share the world with each other, each person coming with the joys and challenges of their lives. The relationships become intertwined with the experience of Scotland, and will be always treasured. I look forward to the next adventure!
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You are invited to a pot-luck on Sunday, July 15th, at noon in Collins Hall. Sponsored by the First Church Travel Planning Committee, photos, slide shows, and movies of past travel events will be featured.
All past travelers, friends, and anyone interested in 1st Church Travelers adventures are invited to come. Did you go to Italy, Costa Rica, Canada, South Africa, Alaska, Peru, New York City and D.C., Scotland or other travels with us? Come join in the reunion!
First Church Travelers will announce their 2013 and 2014 tour destinations–you’ll be the first to hear!
Also opening that day: The Fine Arts Committee, in conjunction with the Travel Committee, will exhibit photos from tours, and local trips.
Bring a pot-luck dish to share and your table settings. A barbecue grill will be available if you would like to use it. Beverages will be provided.
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 Meyer in the church office 503.228-3195 ext 222 or cmeyer@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!
The First Church Travelers have been going nonstop for a week. We have had great weather and seen some great sights. So far we’ve seen Edinburgh Castle, Donrobin Castle, St Magnus Cathedral, the Italian Chapel, Holyrood, St Andrews, Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness, Inverness, and sights along the road too numerous to mention.
Before we came to Scotland, I had read in a guidebook about the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour. As it turned out, Linda and I found this tour offered at the pub across the street from our hotel. Since we had an unscheduled evening, we signed up.
We visited three pubs that night. at each stop we had the opportunity to go inside and buy a beverage. Folks would bring their glasses outside to the courtyard and listen to two actors argue passionately about the importance of pubs and drinking to the creativity of scotland’s writers. We heard the stories and saw the places behind the creation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, past the nocturnal haunts of Robert Louis Stevenson, heard the bawdy poetry of Robert Burns, and learned of Sir Walter Scott’s novels that reignited the patriotism of the Scottish people.
During the course of the evening, we had a chance to introduce ourselves to the group. We learned we were not the only Oregonians there. A large group from Corvallis had come to run in the Edinburgh Half Marathon that weekend. They also were on the literary pub tour.
My fondest memory of this very Scottish evening was our final pub, The Kenilworth. Linda and I decided to join the others and have a drink. I was at the end of the line.
When I finally got my chance, I placed my order. When I started to pay, I was informed that the gentleman next to me had already paid. I was quite surprised and thanked him.
He was a member of our literary pub group. His reply was that he wanted me to remember always that an Irishman had bought me a drink at a pub in Scotland.
Seeing things again for the first time – or seeing new things when you thought you’d seen it all…
We’ve had our third day on our tour to discover Scotland – and three days of sun! (and a little rain shower here and there, a bit of hail, and a bit of snow!). But each bit of sun is a bonus for those of us from the Pacific Northwest!
We have a lovely group of 21 joined by 16 others from around the US.
With our first church travelers are several experienced world travelers, some fairly new to international travel, and some making their first trip out of the US.
Sherry, a first church traveler from Ohio, shared at dinner this evening that this is her fourth trip to Scotland. She was surprised, however, how many new things she is seeing and experiencing even in places she’s been before.
I think that says so much about experiencing travel – and life – with an openness to new experience.
To share world travel with this group has given us all a way to see things in a new way – through each other’s eyes and the eyes of local people we join in conversation.
There are always lots of “Did you see that?!” moments and each of us is enriched in sharing the experience of the thing we are seeing today.
How great to see Scotland with Sherry and the new things she’s seeing in the familiar!
We will gather at the church at 8:30 am and carpool to the Hillsboro Aviation Flight Training Center. This center attracts student pilots from all over the world training to fly conventional aircraft along with helicopters. The tour will include demonstrations of flight simulators along with actual aircraft.
Our next stop is the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum. They offer educational programs specifically focused on aircraft of the jet age and cold-war period, highlighting their pivotal role in the development of world aerospace technology and commercial aviation industries.
Longbottom Coffee and Tea House comes next for a short tour of the roasting facilities and a stop for lunch (lunch is at your own cost).
The last visit is to Intel where we will hear a presentation about the development of computer chips and then tour the museum and educational center.
There will be some walking and standing on this full day tour; we expect to return to the Church by 4:30 pm. Register with Chris Meyer in the church office 503.228-3195 ext 222 or cmeyer@fumcpdx.org by April 24. The cost is $12.00. There is a limit of 20 participants.
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!
Enjoy the full day Hood River Blossom Festival Tour on April 20, 2013 exploring the Columbia Gorge, escorted by a professional tour guide and traveling in a comfortable motor coach. 
Join fellow United Methodists and First Church friends exploring the world!
Join us for this popular event on March 5th as professionals read the Pulitzer Prize play, Lost in Yonker’s, by Neil Simon. 
Join us on Saturday, February 2nd for a tour to the Guide Dogs for the Blind School located in wooded Boring, Oregon. We will first attend a graduation ceremony commemorating the efforts of the students and their dogs that have just completed the required training program. 
The Travel Planning Committee announces a Virtual Tour of Mali, West Africa with Philip Greenberg as guide.
Join us for this popular event where we examine the history and basic doctrines of various faiths.
Scotland was on my “bucket list” for many years–especially since reading Diana Gabaldon’s books (Outlander; 1991), and our visit to Edinburgh after the Great Britain trip several years ago. I was very pleased when it was chosen for our 2012 First Church Travelers destination–and it did not disappoint!
A day tour to Salem and surrounds highlighting the role of the Methodist Church in early Oregon history. 
The First Church Travelers have been going nonstop for a week. We have had great weather and seen some great sights. So far we’ve seen Edinburgh Castle, Donrobin Castle, St Magnus Cathedral, the Italian Chapel, Holyrood, St Andrews, Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness, Inverness, and sights along the road too numerous to mention.
Before we came to Scotland, I had read in a guidebook about the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour. As it turned out, Linda and I found this tour offered at the pub across the street from our hotel. Since we had an unscheduled evening, we signed up.
Seeing things again for the first time – or seeing new things when you thought you’d seen it all…
Join us for the High Tech Applications Tour which will include stops at the 
