Headlines
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: 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: Mark Ohlson Published: April 10th, 2012
Huge Library Book Sale Coming Soon!
Hundreds of books will be on sale Sunday, May 6th. It takes place in Collins Hall before worship and during Coffee Hour after worship on that day. This is your chance to stock up on bargain reading materials to get you through the summer. Titles will be available on all sorts of topics, fiction and non-fiction alike, best sellers, books for children/grandchildren, and more. All proceeds go to purchase new books for the outstanding resource library here at FUMC. All items purchased will be by donation. Take what you want and give what you can in cash or checks only. See you at the Book Sale!
Category Headlines, Library, News |
Published: April 8th, 2012
At 9:00 AM in the Fireside room beginning April 15, a new series will begin. It will feature known members of First Church sharing how they became persons of Faith and their core beliefs.
There will also be a moderator who will help participants understand and share their stories.
The series will last through Eastertide.
- April 15 will feature Richard Pomperoy (Tom Rannells Moderator)
- April 22 will feature Bill Haden (Gene Gregory moderator)
- April 29 will feature Don Riggs (Trudy Harrison Moderator)
Come and enjoy a cup of coffee and this post Eater series.
Category Adults, Headlines |
Author: Dee Poujade Published: April 8th, 2012
Dear Friends,
Christ is risen indeed, Halleluiah!!!
Love and Easter greetings to you all!! Blessings from God have been showered on us through your generous hearts, especially through your fervent prayers for us as we work to bring a Christian presence and a better quality of life for street children, orphans, and the poor living in Phnom Penh. On behalf of the children who benefit from your dedicated support, I express our sincere gratitude for all you have done to help these less fortunate ones.
In our meditation at the office, we studied the verses Mark 11:8-11. When discussing what the people in Cambodia would ask to be saved from if they cry “Hosanna” (save us), most of the UMC staff commented, “Save us from poverty and injustice.” Our help is direly needed to help the poor escape the effects of poverty and injustice in this part of the world. And as we help the poor of Cambodia grow spiritually, we see great changes in the lives of our children and communities as recipients of God’s mission.
Without your help, we can’t do anything. Yours are the hands of God reaching out to these less privileged and less fortunate ones. Luke 13:9 says, “Let us not be weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up.” Our reports cannot contain the happiness and joy of these children as they receive gifts not only in kind, but of love, as we stand with them and share with their pains and agonies of poverty and helplessness. Let us continue to concretize God’s love to them. Harvest will come. We cannot thank you enough for your commitment to supporting the men, women, and children we work with in Cambodia! We pray that more people like you will be touched by God to become instruments of His love.
This Easter season, I want thank you again for your support. I am attaching a picture sketched by our children to express their joy and gratitude to all of you. Happy Easter 2012!!
Very truly yours,
Clara Mridula Biswas
Bio as 4/01, P.O. Box 2493
Missionary code #013952-7BZ
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Category Global Mission committee, Headlines |
Author: Dee Poujade Published: April 6th, 2012
The United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) team to UMCOR West will meet after church on Sunday, April 15, for a team meeting to discuss logistics of the trip. Everyone who is registered is asked to please attend this meeting.
A limited number of vacancies remain on the team – anyone who is interested is asked to complete the registration form (available in the church office) and return it with a $100 deposit by April 15.
Category Headlines, Volunteers in Mission |
Author: Mark Ohlson Published: March 27th, 2012
Understanding Digital Photography with Larry Sawyer:
Are you the proud owner of a new digital camera but aren’t really sure how it works? Or are you thinking Photoshop is a store in the mall where you can go to buy frameable pictures? Or even more confusing, are you just not sure how you can make your family snapshots look more interesting?
Take heart. Starting April 15th, in the Fireside Room right after Coffee Hour, Larry Sawyer will be presenting a workshop on the basics of digital photography starting with cameras and going all the way through editing your pictures in Photoshop.
Topics you’ll learn about via his entertaining video presentation include:
• How digital cameras work
• Exposure
• Shutter Speeds
• Focus
• Aperture and Depth of Field
• Optics and Lenses
• Lighting
• Photo Composition
• Photoshop Basics for Editing
Bring your digital camera and your questions. Larry will work with everyone to answer questions and help you get the most from your equipment. The workshops, one hour each, take place on April 15th, May 6th and May 20th at noon each day in the Fireside Room. Plan to attend and learn to have fun taking better photos with your digital camera!
Category Headlines, News |
Author: Judy Moon Published: March 21st, 2012
“Strength in Solitude” is the focus of the Metro District Spiritual Retreat, coming up soon, on April 13 or 14. All women are invited to spend a day away in the lovely, wooded setting of the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center near Eaglecreek, OR.
Only a 45 minute drive from Portland, and at a cost of just $25 ($20 for first timers), this event promises to refresh, renew, and enhance your spiritual life.
Delicious nourishment for the soul and body will be provided by the world’s best chefs at the Center.
Deadline to reserve your space is April 6.
You choose the date (Friday, April 13 or Saturday, April 14) that you wish to attend. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the retreat will conclude at 3:00 p.m. on either day.
Registration forms will be available each Sunday in the narthex after worship services, or you can download one here in PDF format.
Category Headlines, United Methodist Women |
Published: March 18th, 2012
March 21 – Contemplative Path: Meditation
The Rev. Dr. Robert Flaherty, pastor of the Newberg United Methodist Church will lead us in an exploration of meditation as a tool for Christian spiritual growth. Meditation involves the emptying our minds from all distractions and the focusing of our minds in the present moment. Dr. Flaherty will help newcomers to meditation and “old hands” alike find new energy in this spiritual practice.
Each week’s program is preceded by supper from 5:30-6:30 in Collins Hall. Children are welcome and people of all ages are encouraged to “travel our pathways” together.
Category Headlines |
Author: Judy Moon Published: March 16th, 2012
Mark your calendars for this very special event occurring June 1-3 at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel, Portland, Oregon.
It happens only once every four years, and since it moves around the conference, it is rarely in Portland.
Category Headlines, United Methodist Women |
