This is just a quick note for all the youth who helped with our brilliant service this past Sunday. The podcast of the service is now officially online. You can go download the recording of yourself on the iTunes Podcast directory – just search for fumcpdx and look for Youth Sunday, May 6.
Alternatively, you could just click on this link.
Rev. Donna Pritchard
dpritchard@fumcpdx.org
Senior Minister
503/228-3195 ext. 226
Rev. Tom Foster
tfoster@fumcpdx.org
Minister of Pastoral Care
503/228-3195 ext. 233
Jonas Nordwall
jnordwall@fumcpdx.org
Artistic Director of Music and Organist
503/228-3195 ext. 218
Kelly Qualls
kqualls@fumcpdx.org
Executive Director of Music
503/228-3195 ext. 235
Megan Humphreys-Loving
mhumphreys-loving@fumcpdx.org
Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries
503/228-3195 ext. 227
Mark Ohlson
mohlson@fumcpdx.org
Coordinator of Volunteers, Hospitality, and Outreach
503/228-3195 ext. 220
Christine Bostick
cbostick@fumcpdx.org
Church Administrator
503/228-3195 ext. 222
David Jenkins
djenkins@fumcpdx.org
Administrative Assistant
503/228-3195 ext. 221
Dwight Dragoo
ddragoo@fumcpdx.org
Facilities Manager
503/228-3195 ext. 205
Shirley Blalock
sblalock@fumcpdx.org
Bookkeeper
503/228-3195 ext. 225
Christine Bostick has been at First UMC for almost six years. As the Church Administrator she is responsible for the day to day operations of the church facilities and oversees approximately seven employees, including the church custodial staff, facilities manager, administrative assistant and the church bookkeeper.
The Trustees appreciate her skills at managing our “bricks and mortar.” Over fifty community groups reap the benefit of our outreach into local ministries by using our facilities. We have a community group using our building every day of the week, including our Goose Hollow Shelter for families, Youngset Preschool, the bridge club, language schools, twelve step programs, and many more.
Christine has been working for the non-profit community for over 20 years and last served the Oregon Historical Society prior to coming to work for First UMC. She is a member of the local chapter of the National Association of Church Business Administrators and has helped us to keep current with our employee practices.
Her favorite part of her job is the people of the church that she works for. If she could change anything it would be to solidify First UMC’s funding so as to ensure that our many missions have a solid foundation.
Christine hails from the other Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is thrilled to be a part of First Church. She is engaged to be married in May. If you do not know Christine, stop by the office during the week to say “Hi” and offer her your congratulations on the upcoming nuptials.
Did you miss church last Sunday? We know there are many reasons you may not have been in the pews during the service.
Maybe you were in Sunday School teaching the Fourth Graders. Perhaps you had to set up for the coffee hour after the service. It’s possible that you were working in the nursery or some other part of the church. You might even have been skiing on Mount Hood…
No matter! Have we got a deal for you!
The whole worship service from Sunday morning is online! That’s the whole service from every Sunday morning!
Starting in January of this year, we have begun offering all of our Sunday morning services for playback online. Each service begins with the our lay leader’s announcements and plays right through to the end of the postlude.
You can listen to any of the services listed in the Sunday Morning section under the Worship heading right here on our website. Services that are available show up as a row links at the bottom of that Sunday’s entry (you’ll see them right under “Download the Bulletin” when they are available). Just click on the “Play Now”, “Play in Popup” to listen right away, or click on “Download” to get the service and play it later.
If you listen to podcasts using the iTunes Podcast directory, you can subscribe and have each week’s service delivered to your favorite listening device automatically. Go to the iTunes Podcast directory and search on fumcpdx to subscribe (or click on this link: Portland’s First United Methodist Church at iTunes).
Internet song performances on this website are authorized by the WorshipCast License.
Please join us in room 110 on Monday, February 27, from 6 to 7:30 pm, for a Website Open House.
We’ll be exploring tips and tricks about how to use the church website. Plus we’ll be comparing notes and doing some training with the volunteers who help to manage it.
This is an open invitation to drop in during the evening and get questions answered and share ideas with others.
It is very informal, and all church members who are interested in learning more about the church website are encouraged to stop by.
If your group or committee is not currently listed on our website and you’d like to see it there, please join us.
This is the place to be on Monday night!
Kelly Qualls has been our Executive Director of Music for the past eight years. She was born in Kansas, but has called the Portland area her home since 1982 which is when she joined First UMC and began singing in the Chancel Choir. Kelly taught elementary, middle school and high school general music, choral music, band, remedial reading and math for 28 years in various schools in both Washington and Oregon.
Kelly is very proud of the music program at First Church and strives to keep it one of excellence in all areas. She supervises the musicians that comprise our music staff. The musicians range in age from three-year-olds (Cherub Choir) up through octagenerians in the Chancel Choir. She schedules when each of the music groups and soloists sing or play in the worship services.
Additionally, Kelly takes care of the music budgets (music purchases for each of the choirs, payroll, having pianos tuned and organs repaired), sits on a committee to interview and audition candidates for music staff positions, administers the Nordwall Education Program, and contracts with musicians to play at special times such as Easter or weddings or memorial sevices. She coordinates with the Senior Pastor and other program and administrative staff regularly.
Kelly is married to David Qualls, a retired optometrist. They make their home in Gresham.
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.
The new website for Portland’s First United Methodist Church was launched on November 15, 2011.
If you don’t see your group or committee listed anywhere, it’s because we don’t have a volunteer from your group to help maintain your area yet.
Contact the web manager to get the ball rolling, and we’ll have you contributing to the site before you know it!
We can be reached by Max on the blue or red lines at the Goose Hollow stop.
TriMet Bus lines 6, 58 and 68 all stop right at the church, the 51 and the 63 both stop a few blocks away. You can use the TriMet.org Trip Planner for more details about public transportation.
Tax deductable donations can be made to First United Methodist Church by with your major credit card. If you choose to donate by credit card, you will be taken to a secure third-party site where you can enter your information and choose which ministry of the church you would like to donate to.
If you prefer, donations can also be made by sending a check to the church office at
Church Office
1838 SW Jefferson
Portland, OR 97201
First Church is home to many community groups and activities. If you are interested in a one time use or an ongoing program at First Church, you can begin with a phone call to Christine Bostick, our Church Administrator, at 503/228-3195 ext. 222.
If you have a specific question or concern about First Church, you can reach us through the church office at 503/228-3195. Dave Jenkins is our Administrative Assistant and he will answer your question or direct you to the person who can!
We also have a psychologist who maintains an office on our campus. Dr. Roger Carlson is an ordained United Methodist minister, as well as a fully licensed psychologist. If you desire to make an appointment for counseling, you can reach his office directly at 503/245-2929 or e-mail him at: rogerdcarlson@gmail.com.
If you are interested in having your wedding at First Church, you can begin with a phone call to Dave Jenkins, our Administrative Assistant, at 503/228-3195 ext. 221. Below is a link for our current Wedding Policy Guide.
PORTLAND FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH is a part a wordlwide denomination known as the United Methodist Church. First Church is one of many congregations in the metro area and around the world. We are made stronger by our connection with other churches. Our faith is guided by Scripture, tradition, experience and reason. We believe that each of us is called to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ. John Wesley, put it plainly, "Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." This spirit is alive and well at First Church.
WORSHIP is a vital part of the First Church experience. The pastors, lay leaders, music staff and Chancel Choir are dedicated to leading meaningful and uplifting worship experiences. Our regular worship service is at 10:30 AM every Sunday morning. Communion is served the first Sunday of each month. Embracing our Methodist heritage, we affirm God’s claim upon our lives and actively invest our hearts, minds and resources to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. We respect diversity of belief. In this spirit, we want to be a place where people can explore and expand their spiritual lives, striving to make God’s love visible in this world.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES at First Church are many and varied, ranging from Sunday School classes to forums on significant issues of the day. We seek to:
SERVICE is a vital part of the life of First Church. We have a commitment to put our faith into action. We seek to:
With the assistance of Volunteers of America (VOA), First United Methodist Church now accepts donations of used cars. VOA takes care of everything, including selling the vehicle. You, the donor, receive tax advantages for 100% of what the vehicle sells for, and the church receives 60% in cash. It’s a win-win.
Want to donate your vehicle now?
You can go to Charity Connections and fill out the online form. Select First United Methodist Church in the drop down menu to ensure your donation makes it to us.
If you would rather have First United Methodist Church submit your donation, please contact Christine Bostick at 503.228-3195 x222 to get started.
Vehicle Donation Frequently Asked Questions from the VOA website:
Q: Why should I donate my vehicle to First United Methodist Church?
A: There are many reasons, including:
Q: What percentage of the proceeds from the sale of my vehicle goes to First United Methodist Church?
A: 60% of the sale of your vehicle will go directly to First United Methodist Church. VOA Oregon keeps the remaining 40% for there own nonprofit and social justice programs.
Q: Does my car have to be running to donate it?
A: No. VOA Oregon accepts running and non-running vehicles. (Some restrictions may apply.)
Q: What types of vehicles are accepted?
A: All kinds! Cars, trucks, boats, motor homes, travel trailers, utility trailers, and aircraft, to name a few. They have even received and sold a fire engine!
Q: Will they pick up my vehicle? What is their tow range?
A: VOA Oregon offers free towing or you can drop off your vehicle at their storage facility. (Call 503.239.7944 for details.) Their tow range is from Longview, WA to Cottage Grove, OR and a 50-mile radius of I-5, but they’ll go anywhere for the right vehicle.
Q: What if I have an out-of-state title?
A: No problem – VOA Oregon can process a donation with an out-of-state title, and they can accept vehicles in almost any state.
To donate a vehicle, go to Charity Connections and choose First United Methodist Church from the drop-down menu.
Shout Out! First Methodist Youth News: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 THIS Sunday, May 20 Confirmation Sunday! Worship 10:30 [Read More]
Whats Up Wednesdays: May 16, 2012 THIS Sunday, May 20 9:30 a.m. Children’s Choirs 10:30 a.m. Worship: Confirmation [Read More]
The hope I take from this is some permission for us to continue preaching and practicing openness and inclusiveness in [Read More]
The Gospel lesson today ... tells us in no uncertain terms that Christ's love cannot be reduced to a Hallmark card or a [Read More]
Join us this week for worship at 10:30 where our focus will be on "Encouragement; wisdom from within." [Read More]
