Outreach Ministries

Outreach Ministries | Church and Society for Social Justice | Global Outreach & Mission | Goose Hollow Family Shelter | Health Care Taskforce | Hunger Taskforce | Planet Church

Outreach Ministries

As an outreach ministry of First United Methodist Church, we seek to be an intentional, inclusive, engaged community working to eradicate the poverty of mind, body, and spirit. Therefore, we commit ourselves to being a significant voice in the community, working to address the issues of:

We seek to create a church community that nurtures every person's potential as whole, loved, and gifted human beings.

Outreach Ministries at First Church are inspired by the social gospel witness of Jesus, which calls on us to love kindness, do justice and walk humbly with our God. Faithful response to sensitive issues of social concern is reflected in a variety of ministries through leadership, educational classes and forums, and organized activities. We strive to provide understanding, method and opportunity to participate and respond in ways that make a difference in the lives of many based on Jesus' model of compassionate caring and justice in keeping with the Mission and Social Creed of the United Methodist Church. We seek, welcome and accept all persons, and commit ourselves to one another and to God.

Recent Activities include:

Following is a brief description about the mission and work of the Outreach Ministries at First UMC. If you would like more information about how to participate in a program or event, please contact the Church Office.

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Church and Society for Social Justice

The United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for social justice. The purpose and primary responsibility of our Church & Society for Social Justice Committee is to witness to and relate the social gospel ministry of Jesus to the members of the church, and all persons and institutions of the community and world on issues of human rights, poverty, peace with justice, and the integrity of creation.

Church and Society for Social Justice is actively involved with the local and global community through our Outreach Ministries around issues related to the:

We are guided through prayer and study, by Scripture, the United Methodist Social Principles, and policy statements of the First Church Leadership Council. The Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of the General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation as historically demonstrated in United Methodist traditions. They are a call to faithfulness and are intended to be instructive and persuasive in the best of the prophetic spirit; however, they are not church law. For more information on the Social Principles, please visit: www.umc.org.

Church & Society for Social Justice meets the first Thursday of each month. For more information about the ministry of Church & Society for Social Justice, please contact the Church Office.

Recent Activities include:

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Global Mission

The Global Mission Committee promotes issues of national and international concern within our congregation. Each year it provides educational opportunities on global needs and sponsors Volunteers In Mission trips worldwide. Through the Global Mission Committee, we have covenant relations with missionary couples in Russia, Brazil, and Kenya. The Global Mission Committee meets monthly, September through June. To learn more about Global Missions please contact the Church Office.

Recent Activities include:

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Goose Hollow Family Shelter

The Goose Hollow Family Shelter, a winter emergency shelter, started at First Church in 1994, and is one of the few family shelters in the Portland metro area that allows homeless families to stay together while living in a temporary shelter.

Families staying at the Shelter are provided an evening meal and a light breakfast. They have access to showers, laundry facilities, sleeping areas (partitioned for families), and constructive activities for kids. Thanks to many donations received throughout the year, we maintain a pantry of personal toiletry items and a clothes closet of re-cycled clothing for shelter families.

People from many faiths and traditions, community organizations, businesses and from the secular community, serve as volunteers. Goose Hollow Shelter relies on the services of more than 5 volunteers each evening. More than 150 volunteers are needed a month. Volunteers prepare and serve the evening meal, provide activities for children, serve as extra hands to coordinate the schedule for guests who wish to use the laundry, showers, and pantry and clothes closet. Two Volunteer Hosts are needed to sleep with Shelter families each night and set out a light breakfast in the morning for guests.

You are invited to explore ways to fully participate in the life and community of the Goose Hollow Family Shelter, which is housed at First Church. A complete description of Volunteer Positions can be found by clicking on the Goose Hollow webpage.

As a participant in the Multnomah County Winter Shelter Network, Goose Hollow Family partners with a day shelter where our families can go between during the day for support services and to meet with advocates who can assist their transition back into permanent housing. The Goose Hollow Shelter Council is a participant in Oregon's Then-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

To learn more about the Shelter please contact Director, Annie Heart at First UMC, or a member of the Shelter Council.

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Health Care Taskforce

A Health Care Taskforce was established within FUMC in March of 2006 to work on multiplicity of health care issues related to the growing concern over our health care system in Oregon, and uninsured Oregonians. The United Methodist Church in its Social Principles regards healthcare as a basic human right, as well as a responsibility both public and private. (www.umc-gbcs.org/healthcare) For more information about the Health Care Taskforce, please contact the Church Office.

Activities Include:

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Hunger Taskforce

In October, 2005 a Hunger Task Force was created at First Church to examine the major issues and needs regarding hunger in Oregon and the larger world community and to identify ways in which the congregation might best respond. The Task Force is committed to finding ways to eliminate hunger through increased giving, volunteering, and using our roles as citizens to promote just laws and policies that do not relegate people to poverty and hunger. For more information about ways to participate with the Hunger Taskforce, please contact the Church Office.

Recent activities include:

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Planet Church

Planet Church provides leadership within First UMC, the local community and the expanded community for Energy Conservation and Responsible Stewardship of the Earth. They serve as a source of information on actions to aid in the recovery of the natural ecosystems of our planet. Planet Church meets the second Monday of each month. For more information about Planet Church, please contact the Church Office.

Recent activities include:

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Outreach Ministries | Church and Society for Social Justice | Global Outreach & Mission | Goose Hollow Family Shelter | Health Care Taskforce | Hunger Taskforce | Planet Church

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