Spring sneaks in amidst the rain and the cold in the Portland Area, but encased in the attached Spring Program Guide are many opportunities to bring light and life to your spiritual self.
Take a look for most church activities between March and May 2013 and put them on your calendar as reminders!
One Great Hour of Sharing - March 10th
Support United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)!
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) reaches people in more than 80 countries, including the United States.
It provides humanitarian relief when war, conflict, or natural disaster disrupt life to such an extent that communities are unable to recover on their own.
For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations have been taking part in a special One Great Hour of Sharing offering, laying the foundation for UMCOR’s ministry of relief and hope.
Donations UMCOR receives through this offering, along with other undesignated gifts made throughout the year, cover UMCOR’s costs of doing business.
The donations make it possible for UMCOR to use 100% of all other contributions on the projects donors specify, instead of on administrative or fund-raising costs.
UMCOR does not receive United Methodist World Service or apportionment funds, so without the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering, UMCOR would not exist.
Please plan to contribute to this special offering on March 10th!
February 24 will be your next opportunity to support Palestinian farmers! Global Missions will be selling olive oil products from Canaan Fair Trade in Collins after the service. Visit www.canaanusa.com for a list of products. If you like, you can send your Pre-Order to GlobalMissions@fumcpdx.org.
Focusing on a Redeeming Second Chance for the Church
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Lenten Suppers will be held each Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:15 pm in Collins Hall and the Fireside Room.
Ash Wednesday February 13
Supper begins at 5:30 pm in Collins Hall, then gather in the Chapel at 7:00 for the imposition of ashes, a visual reminder of our second chances.
Each week following supper we will host a speaker on these topics:
One More Chance at Compassion – February 20
How the church is called to ministry with the poor and the homeless.
Guest Speaker: Paul Schroedeh, New City Initiative
One More Chance at Reconcillation – February 27
The story of First Church’s continuing efforts to include gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender persons ln the life of the church.
Guest Speaker: Panel of First Church’s Reccnciling Ministry
One More Chance at Understanding – March S
Caring for those with mental illness.
Guest Speaker Chris Bouneff, NAMI Oregon
One More Chance at Justice – March 13
Multiculturalism and how we might truly accept and empower
Guest Speaker: Kristina Gonzalez, Pacific NW Annual Conference
One More Chance at Our Borders – March 20
Responding to the needs of immigrants in our community.
Guest Sbeaker: Mira Conklin, Jeremiah House
Join with other progressive United Methodists to meet with Chett Pritchett, Interim Executive Director of Methodist Federation for Social Action, Monday evening, February 4th.
Pritchett and Steve Clunn, coordinator for the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, are based in Washington, DC, but traveled to Portland to make arrangements for Coalition work at the United Methodist General Conference 2016, which will be held in Portland.
This is an early opportunity to hear what various groups working for the full participation of all people in the church are planning as we move forward from General Conference 2012 to 2016 in Portland.
Details: Monday, February 4th, 7:00 pm, Cherry Park United Methodist Church, 1736 SE 106th Ave.
Save the date: Saturday, February 2nd! From 9:00 – 11:30 AM, First Church Volunteers will help repackage bulk food at the Oregon Food Bank’s Beaverton location (1870 NW 173rd, Beaverton).
Our group will tackle large bins of bulk food and break it down into family-size bags that can be distributed to the hungry Oregonians among us. It’s a fun effort and the time flies by as you work shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow First Church volunteers and others in this worthwhile effort.
If you’ve never been to the Oregon Food Bank, now’s your chance. Sign up sheet will be on the Outreach Table in Collins Hall Sunday, January 27th. Plan to be there!
This past Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, worship traditionally focuses on the “joy” of the Christmas message.
It was difficult to feel very joyful following horrific, senseless acts of violence both here in Oregon and in Connecticut this past week. But it was good to be together in worship, to remind ourselves and each other of the powerful, redemptive presence of God’s love even in the midst of chaos and confusion, pain and grief.
You can listen the full service here, and your are invited to listen to the messages from our preachers here:
Here are the sermon, a helpful pastoral prayer and a message which can be shared with children to offer comfort and hope.
Because the joy of Christmas is at its core the joy of knowing God’s presence with us in every moment, every circumstance of life and of death.
Looking for Heroes - Children's Time, Rev. Jeremy Smith [ 3:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
“Living Waters” to be the theme for the fourth annual event.
Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s environmental working group is holding the fourth annual Earth Care Summit on Monday evening, January 28th at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 12405 SW Butner Road, Beaverton, Oregon. The Summit will begin at 5:30pm (with an optional of St. Andrew’s site at 4:30) and end at 8:45pm.
The theme of the summit is “Living Waters”, and it will feature a keynote speech by William Skylstad, Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Spokane, and co-author of the Columbia River Pastoral Letter: “The Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation and the Common Good”. Workshops will touch on the sacredness of water in our traditions, current concerns about water here and around the world, and practical ideas about how to care for our planet’s living water—in our homes and in our congregations—as the 21st Century unfolds.
St. Andrew Lutheran Church is itself distinguished for the thought the congregation has put into caring for the environment as stewards of a forest and wetland on their grounds, as well as for the recent completion of an environmentally-conscious remodel. Summit attendees will have the opportunity to tour St. Andrew’s grounds, as well as to visit the many tables provided by environmental organizations around the metro area. A Summit flyer can be found here (pdf version), and more information is on the EMO website.
Planet Church is a co-sponsor of the Summit and has reserved a table for this event, and we invite all interested parties to join us at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on January 28th. FUMC members who would like to sit at the Planet Church table can register at the church office (suggested donation, $25). Registration is also available through EMO’s website or by calling (503) 221-1054. Anyone who is interested in scholarship opportunities should contact Planet Church via planetchurch@gmail.com
(photos courtesy of Carol Gilden)
Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Is it really just about the parties and the presents? Does it really have to overwhelm us with busy-ness, or leave us with a debt we regret come January 1? What if we took our Christmas “presents” and focused instead on Christmas “presence”… being there for your friends, your family, your community?
You are invited to pause, take a breath, and “be there” this Christmas – maybe in the joy of a children’s pageant… or in the stillness of a candlelit sanctuary…or in a contemplative moment of late-night communion. This year, do more than “presents” for Christmas. Give yourself the gift of PRESENCE. Make it your intention to “be there” for every moment of celebration and hope.
And let us be present with you this Christmas as well!
Sunday Morning
Christmas Eve
Although Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many people, it can be a very difficult time for others. The darkness of the longest night of the year reflects the dark feelings of many people due to grief over losing a loved one, suffering from a major illness, facing life after a divorce or separation, coping with loss of a job, or other emotional trauma.
First United Methodist Church has for several years offered a Blue Christmas service on the longest night to offer comfort when holidays are not happy. This year the service will be Friday, December 21 in the Sanctuary beginning at 7:00 PM. You are invited to come for music, lighting of candles, prayers, scripture reading, and reflections. At the close of the service, there will be time for fellowship in the Narthex. Stephen Ministers will provide cookies and coffee, and be present to offer continued prayer or support if you desire.
This is a time and place to acknowledge your sadness and concern and know that you are not alone.
Each Sunday between now and December 23rd, you’ll see our Alternative Christmas giving table in Collins Hall after worship.
Staffed by program reps from Planet Church, Church & Society, and Global Mission, they’ll offer you easy ways to support life-changing programs by giving a gift in the name of your friend or family member.
Check it out this Sunday after worship.
Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, the stress of too much to do and not enough time to do it? Are you weary of buying gifts for family and friends who already have so much “stuff”? Would you like your faith to be more fully present, even in the presents you give?
Consider doing your shopping in a new way, by making gifts to this year’s Alternative Christmas at First Church! For each gift you will receive a card letting a loved one know that a gift has been given in their honor to bring healing, hope and love into the world.
You can choose to have a presence right here in Portland, or on the other side of the globe … or both … because Christmas is really about God’s presence with us…and ours with all the world.
Imagine No Malaria
Imagine No Malaria is a United Methodist ministry seeking to raise $75 million in order to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. In addition to providing mosquito nets through
the “Nothing But Nets” campaign, Imagine No Malaria is now educating and establishing community-based malaria control programs, conducting outreach through radio advertising, and revitalizing hospitals and clinics across Africa.
Dee Poujade to Palestine
Dee Poujade is heading to Palestine as a United Methodist Volunteer in Mission and as an Ecumenical Accompanier under the World Council of Churches, to monitor and report human rights abuses, and to support Palestinians and Israelis who are working together for peace. Your contribution will help to pay the $10,000 fee for Dee’s participation in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Israel and Palestine.
Sustainable Agriculture And Development
Sustainable Agriculture and Development is being done in developing nations thanks to this United Methodist Advance project. Rural areas account for three quarters of the world’s malnourished population. This Advance will train at least 3,000 people in these areas in appropriate agricultural methods to protect the environment while also providing much needed food and economic growth.
SOLVE
SOLVE is an Oregon non-profit which aims to bring volunteers together to “take care of Oregon” by teaching stewardship of our natural environment. Planet Church has worked with SOLVE on many clean-up projects. Your gift will support efforts to remove invasive plants, clean up litter, and much more.
Goose Hollow Family Shelter
Goose Hollow Family Shelter is housed right here in our building, and provides year-round shelter for homeless families. Your gift will help our shelter guests to feel the warmth and love of Christmas now and into the new year.
The Macdonald Center
The Macdonald Center is a leader in providing outreach and support services to the forgotten poor in the heart of Portland. Their work helps keep people in housing and off the street by providing education, encouragement and one-to-one care.
After almost 5 years of joy-filled service to the children, youth and families of First Church, Megan Tekchandani will be leaving us on November 30th. The Children and Families Ministries Committee is inviting the congregation to share in saying good-bye to Megan at a reception after worship on Sunday, November 25th.
Please come and share cake and beverages. If you wish, bring a card for Megan and put in a favorite memorable experience you have shared with her and thanking her for her service. Megan has asked to be remembered in word, rather than with gifts.
Megan and Nitin hope to continue to worship with us here at FUMC, as Megan pursues her future plans in Cosmetology School at the Aveda Institute in Portland.
We hope for an announcement naming the new Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries in mid-November.
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.
On September 9th, after several open meetings and discussion, the church conference approved the following Strategic Plan to guide our church’s extraordinary goals in the coming three years. Please download the file here and pray about what areas you are most passionate about and would like to offer your presence and leadership towards. Questions can be directed towards the clergy staff or the Parish Conference.
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