News Archives - First United Methodist Church of Portland https://fumcpdx.org/category/news/ Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:36:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://fumcpdx.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FUMCfavicon-w-150x150.png News Archives - First United Methodist Church of Portland https://fumcpdx.org/category/news/ 32 32 2024 Senior Quilts https://fumcpdx.org/2024-senior-quilts/ Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:05:27 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=67069 Our 2024 graduating high school seniors received personalized quilts made by First Church quilters at the Youth Sunday service April 21st.

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2024 Senior Quilts

Our 2024 graduating high school seniors received personalized quilts made by First Church quilters at the Youth Sunday service April 21st.

Congratulations to: Lukyan Terdal, Lucy Farland, Jordyn Davies, Emily Hughes, Morgan Hutchison, Juniper Weller, and Riley Morris-Rexford.

Senior Lukyan Terdal quilter, Erin Riley
Senior Lucy Farland with quilter, Margaret Martin
Senior Jordyn Davies with quilter, Ruth Green
Senior Emily Hughes with quilter, Dee Poujade
Senior Morgan Hutchison with her quilter, Diana Sellers
Juniper Weller with her mother, Amanda Weller.
Riley Morris-Rexford with quilter, Dee Poujade

Thank you to the quilters: Debbie Fisher, Denise Goss, Susan Greathouse, Ruth Green, Margaret Martin, Dee Poujade, Diana Sellers, Erin Riley, and Kay Ward.
Thank you to the sponsors who contributed to the purchase of quilt materials: Paul Adams and Tim Unger, Cheryl Bittle, Dallas Boge, Brenda Call, Sonia Connor, Peg Cook, Steve and Cacky Cromer, Scott and Janice Gratton, Bev and Sharon Graver, Bill Haden and Doris Huff, Hal Howard, Ricky and Pam Mitchell, Ted and Judy Moon, Paul Nickell and Wave Mead, Ted and Adele Pelletier, Peggy Rockwood, Doug and Frey Sterns, Bev Whitehead…and everyone who bought burritos at the Fall Festival!

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]]> Ride the Rollercoaster https://fumcpdx.org/word-with-the-pastor/ Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:39:22 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=67052 No matter which Gospel writer you read, the events of Holy Week are a dramatic change for the Jesus’ disciples: especially the resurrection.

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A Word with the Pastor

What Easter People Do

Part 3: Ride the rollercoaster of Change

April 18, 2024

No matter which Gospel writer you read, the events of Holy Week are a dramatic change for the Jesus’ disciples: especially the resurrection. In each Gospel, those who know Jesus are invited to ride a rollercoaster of change that they do not always buckle into with joy and excitement.

In those resurrection moments, nothing about the world is the same as it was just before the resurrection. The nervousness and fear are warranted! 

As a people who lived in a global pandemic, it does sometimes feel like nothing about the world is the same as it was in the moments before March of 2020. Then, just when our church community has begun to get into a steady rhythm, there’s another rise or dip on the roller coaster.

This season we have all been invited to ride a rollercoaster of change as we celebrate news from Rev. Lowell, Rev. Ethan, and Drew (shared in previous newsletters and special emails). The next part of the ride is the exciting news that we’ll get to welcome Rev. Rachel Byers as the Pastor of Discipleship and Outreach and Rev. Dylan Hyun as the Pastor of Congregational Care. 

I am proud of the congregation for holding on tight as we’ve zipped around every corner and through every dip. Some have anxiously held their breath, some have found joy in the ride.

I hope you are finding space to say goodbye to these three so that we are set to welcome our next clergy and staff with open arms and ready hearts. 

Another part of the rollercoaster is General Conference (big enough to be its own separate wild rollercoaster, honestly). Rev. Ethan wrote a summary of GC happenings in last week’s Word with the Pastor, including an encouraging word amidst the uncertainty. 

We have been in earnest prayer as General Conference is set to begin in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 23. In addition to Rev. Ethan’s writing, the following links can be helpful for learning more about how our denomination works: 

  • UMOI.org/gc2024 (read about the Oregon-Idaho delegates to General Conference as well as updates on pressing issues) 
  • UMNews.org (Latest news about or surrounding The United Methodist Church)
  • UMC.org (information and inspiration for members and seekers. Here you can find the “Ask the UMC” series with helpful articles about emerging topics)
  • ResourceUMC.org (resources for fellow leaders within the church at all levels)

We will keep the congregation updated on big picture updates as they are made clear during the two weeks of General Conference and in the weeks that follow. In the meantime, please join us in prayer for the rollercoaster ahead. Despite anxiously held breaths, may there be joy in the ride and a faithful outcome for our denomination.

Peace,

Rev. Karyn

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]]> General Conference 2020 – in 2024! https://fumcpdx.org/general-conference-2020-in-2024-2/ Thu, 11 Apr 2024 21:52:50 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=67034 Friends, First Church is no stranger to the work of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.

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A Word with the Pastor

General Conference 2020—in 2024!

April 11, 2024

Friends, First Church is no stranger to the work of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. From playing a significant role in hosting the 2016 General Conference here in Portland—to following the work of Rev. Donna Pritchard as she served on the Commission on a Way Forward, leading up to the special 2019 General Conference—to paying close attention to previous General Conferences and the work of LGBTQ inclusion throughout our congregation’s more than 30-year history as a “Reconciling Congregation”—we care deeply about our connectional life as United Methodists. 

For those new to United Methodism, or for those who need a refresher, The United Methodist Church is structured similarly to the United States government. We have a judicial branch in the Judicial Council, who help in interpreting the Book of Discipline, an executive branch in the Council of Bishops, who help in offering guidance and vision to the denomination, and a legislative branch in the General Conference, the top decision-making body, made up of both lay and clergy members, who amend the Book of Discipline and acts as the official voice of The United Methodist Church. 

The General Conference is supposed to meet once every four years, but due to the pandemic, the 2020 General Conference is meeting this year in 2024. This General Conference will meet in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 23-May 3. The Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Communications Team has put together this great webpage to learn more about our Oregon-Idaho delegation, along with all kinds of articles and information about the upcoming General Conference: umoi.org

As a General Conference veteran, having served as a lay delegate or reserve delegate from Central Texas in 2012, 2016, and 2019, I haven’t been able to help staying away from the fun and excitement of General Conference. Since October of last year, I have been assisting our Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) friends with some organizing for General Conference, regularly meeting with and helping to support centrist and progressive delegates, primarily in the Financial Administration Legislative Committee and will be in Charlotte for part of the first week of GC as an observer. 

This will be a different General Conference from those in recent decades. Since 2021, 25% of US congregations have disaffiliated from The United Methodist Church. Now, the overwhelming majority of delegates from the US support the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of the church. However, we are a global church, made up of people from myriad cultures and perspectives, from Africa, the Philippines, Europe, and the United States. The likelihood of an LGBTQ-affirming statement making it into the Book of Discipline at this General Conference is slim.  

And yet, there is hope. 

The RMN coalition has identified three legislative priorities for this GC: 

  1. Regionalization: this would be a structural change to the denomination, which would, first and foremost, allow the US to become its own “Regional Conference.” This would allow for the US to adopt a US-Regional Book of Discipline, and officially become an affirming denomination, at least in the US. The Central Conferences outside of the US already have the authority to function in a similar way. This would be an equitable change to our structure. The process for making this change takes time, as it requires an amendment to the “Constitution” of The United Methodist Church, which needs a 2/3 approval of GC delegates and a 2/3 approval within all the annual conferences.
  2. Revised Social Principles: The Social Principles give voice to our denomination’s commitment to social justice, mercy, and peace. A study committee, directed by the General Board of Church and Society has worked to update the Social Principles, making them more inclusive. These newly updated social principles would take the place of our current ones.
  3. Remove Harmful Language: Currently, there are prohibitions against LGBTQ people in several sections of the Book of Discipline. Up until 1972, The Methodist Church and then The United Methodist Church were neutral when it came to affirming LGBTQ people. This effort would bring the Book of Discipline back to that time and would help us in upholding our commitment to “Doing No Harm,” until a potentially approved US Regional Conference could convene and adopt affirming statements.

Now, friends, I know that many of us are exhausted by this fight within our church and are tired of waiting for progress to be made. Trust me, I know this feeling, and depending on the day, find myself weary as well. Nevertheless, this is our church. We have been called to this place by God—the one who loves each and every one of us and who calls us by name. There is nothing, nothing that can change that. 

Thankfully, here at First Church, in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, and in the Western Jurisdiction, we chose years ago to ignore the anti-LGBTQ sentiments in the Book of Discipline. Because of this choice, I have had the privilege of serving as the first openly gay pastor appointed to First Church. In my upcoming appointment to First Church in Salem, I will also be that church’s first openly gay pastor. In addition, I will be supervised by an openly gay District Superintendent and am receiving this appointment from our openly gay bishop. 

In so many ways, we are living into our call from God, and are already being and becoming the church we dream of—a church that is committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in our life and ministry. 

In the days ahead, I invite you to be in prayer for the General Conference: for the delegates, for our bishops, the organizers and observers, and for our church as we watch along. And, I also invite you, no matter what happens, to commit to this place called Portland First United Methodist Church as, with joy and gladness, we keep following Jesus together. If we can do that, there is no doubt in my mind that we will fulfill our mission to transform the world. 

As always, Karyn, Lowell, and I are all here to talk with you should you have questions or concerns you would like to share about the upcoming General Conference. 

Blessings, 

Ethan 

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]]> Youth Summer Serice Fundraiser https://fumcpdx.org/youth-summer-serice-fundraiser/ Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:46:57 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=67013 Help the Portland FUMC Youth attend their Summer Service & Learning Trip from July 21-26 with S.L.A.M. Trips (Students Learning About Missions) on the Yakama Reservation.

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Youth Summer Service Fundraiser

We "Knead" Your Dough

Help the Portland FUMC Youth attend their Summer Service & Learning Trip from July 21-26 with S.L.A.M. Trips (Students Learning About Missions) on the Yakama Reservation. Youth are pre-selling Take and Bake Pizzas (like Papa Murphys) for you to purchase and pickup on Sunday, May 5.

Pre-sales end April 30.

Pizza Pickups will be on May 5 between 10am-12pm.

Don’t want pizza? You can still leave a tax-deductible donation to help our students attend without the financial burden!

Each student and leader’s cost is a about $500/person for food, lodging, and fees. We celebrate that Portland FUMC takes seriously our commitments to support youth in their discipleship journey by helping them have incredible opportunities like this to attend service trips.

How You can Help!

Pre-Order Online

You can help by pre-ordering your pizzas online through jotform.com.

Order in-person in Collins Hall on April 21 & 28

You can also order directly through students with cash or check after the 10:30am worship service in Collins Hall on Sundays, April 21 & 28. 

Make a Donation to the Youth Service Trip Fund.

You can also make a donation. Memo checks or envelopes with “Youth Service Trip Fund” when making an offering in worship, or Click here to donate Online.

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]]> What Easter People Do (Part 1: Lift UP) https://fumcpdx.org/what-easter-people-do-part-1-lift-up/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:06:34 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=66985 Happy Easter, First Church! In this first week of Eastertide I want to share some ambiguous good news.

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A Word with the Pastor

What Easter People Do (Part 1: Lift UP)

April 4, 2024

Happy Easter, First Church! In this first week of Eastertide I want to share some ambiguous good news. One ministry that brings us Easter joy is Lift UP, an organization whose mission is to reduce hunger and improve the lives of low-income residents in NW and Downtown Portland. This partner organization manages the Preston Food Pantry on our campus.
We’ve recently received our 2023 impact report and I was overjoyed at how much impact this community has made! This past year First Church has:
  • Donated over 200 pounds of food
  • Gave over 500 volunteer hours
  • Contributed over $5k in funding
Instead of reading my words about how meaningful your commitment has been, hear it directly from Lift UP shoppers and the Lift UP executive director, Stephanie Barr:
Lift UP Impact Report

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]]> Help Asylum Seekers this Easter Weekend https://fumcpdx.org/help-asylum-seekers-this-easter-weekend/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 01:45:10 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=66963 Our friends at IMRJ (the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) and the Leaven Land and Housing Coalition have made us aware of the needs of asylum seeking families this weekend.

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Help Asylum Seekers this Easter Weekend

Our friends at IMRJ (the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) and the Leaven Land and Housing Coalition have made us aware of the needs of asylum seeking families this weekend: “In the midst of Holy Week, 20+ asylum seeking families are losing access to hotel sheltering on Easter Sunday, March 31st. These are families who are on every waitlist for emergency family shelter bed in Portland…but with a waitlist 3 months deep in an overtaxed family shelter system, the options for these families run out in 4 days.” 

There are a couple of ways to help this weekend: 

Transport Families to New Shelter (Sunday, 3/31, noon-afternoon)

If you are available on Sunday (Easter) to transport families from the hotel near the airport to an as yet unknown, likely Portland or Gresham, temporary shelter (or, worst case, camp) location. 

Welcome Families on Easter (Sunday, 3/31, afternoon)

Welcome the families with a dignity affirming event, given this is a holiday most if not all of the families observe. We are expecting 30ish children under 12 (and some teens) who are losing shelter. 

Email IMRJ (alyssa@imirj.org) to offer support and to learn the details about these opportunities to serve.

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]]> Holy Week & Easter Offering​ https://fumcpdx.org/easter-appeal/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 23:56:57 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=66928 We have made it through the bleak midwinter and to the promising hint of spring- Holy Week is nearly here!

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A Word with the Pastor

Holy Week & Easter Offering

March 21, 2024

We have made it through the bleak midwinter and to the promising hint of spring- Holy Week is nearly here!


You are invited to celebrate Holy Week with First Church:


Palm Sunday, March 24

Exciting and hope-filled shouts of “Hosanna!” and palm branch waving leads Jesus into Jerusalem and leads us into Holy Week.
• Worship at 8:30am in the Chapel, 10:30am in the Sanctuary (live streamed)
• Spring Festival (with Egg Hunt!) at 11:45am in Collins Hall


Holy Wednesday, March 27

Come into a space of movement and reflection as the Peace Project hosts an open labyrinth walk focused on God’s grace.

• Hosted from 2:00-7:00pm in Collins Hall (plan to stay 30 minutes or longer)


Holy Thursday, March 28

Christ gathers us around a table of grace where we will celebrate Holy Communion before turning toward the cross in a moving and dynamic worship service.

• Worship at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary (live streamed) 


Easter Sunday, March 31

Our Easter joy is as resonant as the brilliant brass tones that will lead us in the Easter proclamation on this glad morning.

• Worship at 9:00am and 11:00am in the Sanctuary (live streamed) 


You are also invited to participate in our Easter Offering. Each year we celebrate the joy of the resurrection with our generosity. With our offering we put our hope in God’s resurrection power and take seriously our call to create spaces of hope and connection within and around our church.


You may provide your financial support online (fumcpdx.org/easter-offering).


I look forward to continue to dream with you of the vibrant faithfulness we are called to in the resurrection season.


With joy,

Karyn Signature Blue

Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan

Senior Pastor

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]]> A Catalyst for Connection https://fumcpdx.org/a-catalyst-for-connection/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:53:24 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=66865 Last month Paul and I schlepped over the Santiam Pass to Suttle Lake Camp. Having safely arrived without donning the brand-new tire chains that sat in our trunk, we found what we trekked out to see ...

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A Word with the Pastor

A Catalyst for Connection

March 14, 2024

Last month Paul and I schlepped over the Santiam Pass to Suttle Lake Camp. Having safely arrived without donning the brand-new tire chains that sat in our trunk, we found what we trekked out to see: huge banks of snow and piles of snow-drenched youth from Christ Church and First Church.

We had arrived at the Winter Youth Retreat. Despite the chilly weather, we were surprised to receive a warm welcome as soon as we stepped out of the car. In the frosty cold sat our very own welcome sign, guiding these Suttle Lake newbies to the right building while snow obscured most other helpful landmarks and sense of the road.

It’s been a long while since I’ve had the chance to sit back and enjoy a retreat like this one. Paul and I were ‘bonus adults’ at the youth retreat, which meant that we had to behave, but were not responsible for planning programming or keeping folks in line.

It was glorious.

The slow, relaxed pace of connecting with others, knowing that we didn’t have to agree on and plan each meal, the persistent and gentle reminder to tune my spirit to the melody of God’s grace. There was space for time alone and together, space for seriousness and joy.


Spending a night at the youth retreat reminded me of why church retreats are so important to me as a pastor. On a week-to-week basis I don’t get to connect very deeply with most of the congregation. This is the same for many of you. This matters, because our relationships are the foundation of our call and our power as the body of Christ.


A church retreat is a catalyst for connection: with each other and with the Divine.


Little waves and hellos in between worship or at coffee hour are so much more meaningful after you’ve gone past the expected “Hi how are you- I’m good how are you” and actually know the person you’re talking with. You can wave at someone for years and not feel like you are part of the same community.


As I sat at a dinner table with youth from our church, learning so much more about and from them than I’d been able to while giving high fives in the hall on Sundays, I felt so grateful that after a pandemic hiatus, we are finally able to host an All Church Retreat this April (12-14!) at Camp Magruder.


The All Church Retreat is a way to jumpstart your relationships with folks in our community, take a sabbath breath, and tend to your soul. Luckily, there is still one more day of registration!


The All Church Retreat is a way to jumpstart your relationships with folks in our community, take a sabbath breath, and tend to your soul. Luckily, there is still one more day of registration! Sign up at: fumcpdx.org/renewal.

We’ll be waiting there to welcome you.

Peace,

Pastor Karyn

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]]> Order Easter Flowers https://fumcpdx.org/lily/ Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:57:00 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=63746 The Flower Committee is taking orders for Lilies and Azaleas to decorate the Chancel for Easter Sunday.

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easter flowers

Decorate the chancel for Easter by dedicating a flower! Choices are: lilies ($12) or azaleas ($18). Use this form below to indicate which flower(s) you want and if they are in memory, honor, or celebration of someone.

Dedications are printed in the Easter Sunday bulletin, and we invite you to take your flowers home following the service.

Payment

Online

You can pay for your Easter flowers online.

Pay Now

Check

Make checks payable to First United Methodist Church, with “Easter Flowers” noted in the memo line and drop it in the offering plate during worship or mail to:

1838 SW Jefferson St

Portland OR, 97201

Questions?

Call the Church office at (503) 228-3195 or email office@fumcpdx.org.

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]]> Holy Week https://fumcpdx.org/holy-week-2/ Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:01:04 +0000 https://fumcpdx.org/?p=66812 As our Lenten Journey comes to an end, we enter into Holy Week. We begin with the Palm Sunday Celebration, then a Prayer Labyrinth on Wednesday ...

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Holy Week + Easter

As our Lenten Journey comes to an end, we enter into Holy Week. We begin with the Palm Sunday Celebration, then a Prayer Labyrinth on Wednesday. We’ll continue into Holy Thursday Communion, and Tenebrae, then conclude with a celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Today

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