First United Methodist Church PDX

A Word with the Pastor: Holy Conferencing

“And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other...” - Hebrews 10:24-25

The writer to the Hebrew people implored them to gather, and to never stop gathering.

John Wesley encouraged us to do the same.

He called Holy Conferencing – practicing accountability to one another – a communal means of grace. For Wesley, Holy Conferencing was a way for the community to come together and discuss the big things, leading to deeper connections with other believers.

Fast forward to today. Each year United Methodists across the connection engage in Annual Conference. Churches from the Oregon-Idaho Conference send delegations to a central location (either physically or in the Zoom room) to discuss the important issues facing our church. This, for the United Methodist Church, is Holy Conferencing.

We talk about how we are engaging in justice work and what hope looks like in our contexts, and we meet others we have never known but with whom we are in ministry daily. Each Annual Conference operates a little differently, but the hoped-for outcome is the same: to enter a space where the Spirit moves in and among us to share about the things we are doing and the ministries of which we are all a part.

First Church sent a delegation of two clergy and three lay members to represent you, the members who make up our community of faith.

We met a few weeks after Annual Conference to talk about the things that happened there. To process the challenging, to address the hurt and the hope, and to name the big things.

Continue Reading: https://www.fumcpdx.org/about/news/holy-conferencing

Calling all back-to-school shoppers! We are working with the Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA) to collect school supplies to share with children of migrant workers as they head back to school this fall. You can refer to the second image for the most-needed items, but all school supplies are welcome. 🎒

Look for a box in the Narthex for the next 3 Sundays (August 2, 9, and 16) to drop off your donations, or bring them by the front office during regular office hours (M-F, 9am-Noon).

WFWA is also looking for volunteers to help pack and distribute the supplies at their Hillsboro headquarters on August 22. Get in touch with us for more information.

We had SUCH a great time this Saturday cosponsoring with Bold Coffee & Books.

Many thanks to Saint Syndrome for a great performance, and to all our neighbors who brought their kids to learn about how God’s love is for everyone!

This Sunday, we conclude our worship series, “What Makes Us Strong.” Strength in the Kingdom of God is not measured by resources we lack, but by gifts we recognize, relationships we cultivate, and trust we practice. God builds with what is already here. This series is grounded in prevenient grace: the conviction that God is already at work in people, neighborhoods, and communities before the church organizes anything.

This week’s theme is “Co-Laborers in the Field”

Peter does not have the money the blind man is asking for. Instead, he offers what he has: presence, attention, and healing connection. We join the good work that God is already doing with the desire to do good that we already have!

We are back to our normal worship times and locations this week: 8:30am in the Chapel and 10:30am in the Sanctuary. The livestream will begin at 10:20am on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIpb3A9T6FA

Don’t forget — today is the last day to drop off your sneaker donations!

Help us pick which event to do next year! When you come to church tomorrow, look for the voting station in the Sanctuary Narthex, and use a ticket to vote for the event you'd most like to see next year. 🗳

The options are:
- Chili Cook-Off
- Sports Outing
- Pi(e) Day
- Blessing of the Animals

If you're willing to volunteer to make the event happen, write your name on your ticket and get double the votes!

If you can't make it to church tomorrow, just shoot us an email or comment below to let us know.

Pastor Karyn was hard at work in our new parsonage yesterday…

Just kidding! 😜 Many thanks to Kirk Wimmer for his hard work replacing the roof on our beloved Christmas crèche.

A Word with the Pastor: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

A portrait of First Church, painted through words on bright sticky notes:

“I love… arranging a floral bouquet to cheer someone. Baking cookies. Israeli folk dancing. Electrical service and repair. Helping my friend Nan resolve her problems with her computer. Humor. Leading a biking trip. Listening, speaking, praying.”

“I could teach… crochet and patience. How to be a friend. Basic home repair and renovations. Budgeting and shopping. Methodist theology. How to play the flute. Basic medical care. Spanish, or English to Spanish speakers. Proper insurance coverage.”

“I carry the experience of… cancer survivorship. Caring for dying parents. Forming healthy boundaries. The gift of numbers. Helping people through grief. International diplomacy. Amateur radio operation. Loss of rabbit, parent, spouse, job, 14-month-old daughter.”

“I care for others by… being a doctor. Coaching through life and work decisions. Cooking, baking. Financial support. Checking in. Listening, listening, listening. Organizing. Making them laugh. Running the dishwasher. Singing. Saying hello. Sharing meals.”

It has been a gift for ME to read gifts you shared in worship on July 12. What a rich picture of our faith community’s abundance! This beautiful image shows that it is true: in every person, there is something very good. Every person has something to give, teach, and learn. Every person themselves is a gift.

What about our neighbors and neighborhoods?

Continue reading: https://www.fumcpdx.org/about/news/the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving

It’s been a great week at First Church, and our celebrations aren’t over yet! 🏳️‍🌈

On Sunday, folks gathered in Collins Hall in their rainbow best for a special service, and then headed down to the park blocks to march in the .

Last night, we were well represented at ’s Pride Night (Ricky & Pam even made the jumbotron)! 🏀

And today we’re getting ready for this Saturday’s with Bold Coffee and Books & Saint Syndrome! 📖 This event is free to attend and free children’s books will be available while supplies last. We hope to see you there as we round out this year’s Pride celebrations.

It’s a big weekend here at First Church!

Tomorrow, we will gather together for one combined service at a 10am in Collins Hall, sharing answers to some big questions with one another. 🗣️

Afterwards, we’ll head down to the North Park Blocks to march in the ! Meet us at 11:30am at the corner of NW Flanders & NW 8th if you want to march with us. 🏳️‍🌈

You can also catch us and other local reconciling UMCs at the Pride Festival both days at booth #88. We’ll be there today from noon to 8pm and Sunday from 11:30am to 6pm. We hope to see you there! 🏳️‍⚧️