News
Author: web manager Published: May 14th, 2012
Last Sunday of Easter
Join us this week for worship at 10:30.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23
Sermon: Seeing by Heart, Rev. Donna Pritchard preaching
Focus: Encouragement; wisdom from within
This Week’s Music
- Prelude: Festive Peal, Karen Thompson; The Sanctuary Bells, Nancy Hascall, director
- Anthem: Te Deum (Chorus 3 & 4), Antonin Dvorak; The Chancel Choir, Erick Lichte, conductor
- Offertory: O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand, William A. Payn; The Sanctuary Bells, Nancy Hascall, director
- Postlude: Toccata, Theodore Dubois;
We extend a special welcome to our visitors. Portland First United Methodist Church declares that we will be an advocate for peace in our local communities and world. As a Reconciling Congregation, members of this congregation have pledged to welcome and support all who want to worship with us, regardless of race, gender, class or sexual orientation.
Visit the Coffee Hour after worship today for a tasty treat, good coffee, and lively conversation. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the people and programs of First Church.
Category Featured, Sunday Morning |
Published: May 11th, 2012
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 |
Author: Rev. Donna Published: May 7th, 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 |
Author: Megan Humphreys-Loving Published: May 2nd, 2012
Everyone is welcome to participate in an after church Pot Luck in Collins Hall on Sunday, May 6.
Hosted and sponsored by Children and Family Ministry Committee, this lunch is for everyone and anyone. Please bring a salad or an entree to pass, with a serving utensil too!
Plates and eating utensils will be provided.
We will have coffee hour as usual and cake too!
All in celebration of Spring, Youth Sunday, Graduates, the Library Book Sale, and the First United Methodist Church Community!
Bring your dish by Collins Hall in the morning to have it refrigerated during worship.
Category Children and Families, Headlines |
Author: Megan Humphreys-Loving Published: May 1st, 2012
Back by popular demand the group will gather again on Wednesday, May 2 and Wednesday May 9.
We meet in the back room at the Goose Hollow Inn. They are located right across the street from the church.
We discuss upcoming sermon topics, church life, our lives, and scripture in an informal atmosphere. Join us!
Cheers!
Category Adults, Headlines |
Author: Mark Ohlson Published: May 1st, 2012
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 |
Published: May 1st, 2012
The Circuit Rider newsletter is published every two weeks. Submit articles to the church office by May 15 to be included in the May 23 issue.
In this issue:
- Youth Sunday
- All Church Potluck
- A Message from our Pastor
- EMO Dinner
- Big Horn Brass
- Portland State Madrigal Choir
- Prayer Concerns
- Adult Sunday School Classes
- United Methodist Women
…and more!
Category Circuit Rider Newsletter |
Author: Cheryl Luce Published: May 1st, 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 |
Author: Alyson Inouye Published: May 1st, 2012
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 |
Published: April 30th, 2012
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 |
Author: Judy Moon Published: April 29th, 2012
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 |
Author: web manager Published: April 25th, 2012
Our guest preacher on Sunday, April 29, while Pastor Donna is at General Conference in Florida, is the Rev. Chuck Currie.
The Rev. Chuck Currie is a United Church of Christ (UCC) minister in Portland, Oregon who is well regarded for pastoral ministry, advocacy on issues related to homelessness, housing and health care, and as a writer and preacher.
He has appeared on ABC’s World News Tonight and been mentioned or quoted in The New York Times, The La Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, NPR, and is seen, heard or quoted frequently in local media.
Rev. Currie earned a Master of Divinity degree at UCC-related Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. in 2006. In 2011, he began work toward a Doctor of Ministry degree at Chicago Theological Seminary.
He is married to Liz Smith Currie, a policy adviser for Multnomah County. They have twin daughters who attend school in the Portland Public School District.
Category News |
Published: April 17th, 2012
The Circuit Rider newsletter is published every two weeks. Submit articles to the church office by April 12 to be included in the next issue.
Category Circuit Rider Newsletter |
Author: Kelly Qualls Published: April 16th, 2012
We want to give a warm welcome to the combined Chamber and E! Choirs from
South Medford High School to our worship service on April 22. They will be
singing Baba Yetu — a Swahilli version of The Lord’s Prayer.
SMHS Chamber Choir — directed by Andrea Brock
A 30 –voice auditioned advanced choral ensemble. This group has acquired a reputation for quality singing, and has appeared on the OSAA State Choir Championships for seven years.
SMHS E! Choir – directed by Pam Nordquist
A 30-voice auditioned advanced choral ensemble known for its’ eclectic repertoire — jazz, a cappella, novelty, choreographed, classical, and show tunes.
This group performs a lot in the community and has placed in the Pleasant Hill Jazz Festival in consecutive years.
Tags: Welcome the Chamber and E! Choirs to FUMC
Category Chancel Choir, Music, News |
Author: Megan Humphreys-Loving Published: April 11th, 2012
Whats Up Wednesdays: April 11, 2012
FUMC UnPlugged: Spring Church Retreat
Starts Friday, April 13 at Camp Suttle Lake.
It’s going to be great fun, and I hear that there will be fantastic weather!!
THIS Sunday, April 15
9:30 a.m. Children’s Choirs
10:30 a.m. Worship
Sunday school following Children’s Time
Upcoming:
HOME: Helping our Mothers Excel
This is a cool new group that one of our members, Kimberly, has started. They meet on Fridays from 9:15-10:45 a.m. at the Willamette United Methodist Church in West Linn. Child care is a collaborative effort, and provided weekly. Mothers get the opportunity to engage in some cool projects and discussions. Please contact Megan at the church to connect with Kimberly.
Super Sunday
May 20, 5 p.m.
Another opportunity for parents to hang out together over dinner, while kids have activity time at the church. Please RSVP by May 10 with the names and ages of children attending.
Summer Sunday School Volunteers
Volunteers are provided with curriculum and all supplies needed for teaching lessons. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in a “One Big Room” class set up. Summer Sunday school starts on June 17 and continues through September 2.
Help me get June and July all filled up for teaching by the end of May!
Category News |
