Lent as a Balancing Act

Transcription

1 CIRCUIT RIDER F i rst Unit e d Met h o d i st Churc h of Port l a n d WORSHIP TIMES 8:30 AM CHAPEL 10:30 AM SANCTUARY FEBRUARY 13, 2019 VOLUME 25 ISSUE 2 Lent as a Balancing Act WORSHIP SERIES SUNDAY CLASS LENTON SUPPERS Lent has historically been a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. At First Church we observe the season in Sunday morning worship services, this year focusing on the theme of Lent as a Balancing Act. ASH WED MAR 6 7PM CHAPEL Balancing Forgiveness and Grace 1 ST SUNDAY IN LENT MAR 10 A Great Balancing Act Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, preaching 2 ND SUNDAY IN LENT MARCH 17 Balancing Courage and Caution 3 RD SUNDAY IN LENT MAR 24 Balancing What I need and What I Want 4 TH SUNDAY IN LENT MAR 31 Balancing Now and Then 5 TH SUNDAY IN LENT APRIL 7 Balancing Yes and No MAR 10 - APR 14 9:15AM ROOM 110 CONTACT: CHUCK KLANG CSKLANG@EARTHLINK.NET Our resident scholars Dr. Charles Klang and Dr. Renee Harber lead a class and conversation with Revs. Donna and Josh to unpack the latest science of our environment while we use faith and love to find hope in our condition. Join your friends for an interactive, informative, and invigorating class through Lent. WEDNESDAYS MAR 13 APR 10 5:30AM FIRESIDE RM Come for a simple supper of soup and salad then stay for Songs, Prayers and Storytelling! We will do a modified Moth Story Hour where individuals sign up to tell a 5-7 minute story based on a particular prompt. WEEK 1 Your most meaningful Lent WEEK 2 A time you threw caution to the wind (for your faith) WEEK 3 A story about something you thought you needed but didn t WEEK 4 A most memorable character on your faith journey WEEK 5 About a scheme you joined that didn t work out AS A PEACE CHURCH We declare that we will be an advocate for peace in our local communities and world. AS A RECONCILING CONGREGATION all are welcome to participate in the full life of the church, including all races, abilities, ages, classes, gender identities, and sexual orientations. AS A CREATION CARE CONGREGATION we advocate for lifestyles and social policies which bring healing and renewal to our precious Earth.

2 FROM THE PASTOR By the time you receive this I will be in St. Louis, Missouri, participating in the specially called session of General Conference for The United Methodist Church. This is a significant moment in the life of our denomination, and I want you to be as fully informed as possible. So here is General Conference, 2019 in a nutshell: The General Conference is the legislative body for the global United Methodist Church. It is currently comprised of 864 voting delegates (an equal number of lay and clergy folk) from around the world, and normally meets once every four years. The last time General Conference met was right here in Portland in May of Our Council of Bishops called for a special session February 23-26, 2019 to receive a act upon a report from the Commission on a Way Forward, regarding the inclusion or exclusion of LGBTQI persons and the unity of the Church. The work of the 32-member commission (which I was privileged to serve on from the Western Jurisdiction), came about because of a near-schism over the issue of inclusion, a controversy which has raged within the denomination for over 40 years. The Commission on a Way Forward is bringing three models, including 48 petitions to the General Conference Session in St. Louis. Another 30 petitions have been submitted by other individuals or groups. From the Commission delegates will debate the merits of these models: ONE CHURCH MODEL Gives churches the room they need to maximize the presence of the UM witness in as many places in the world as possible. Provides a generous unity Removes prohibitive language related to LGBTQI inclusion from Book of Discipline Page 2 Each Annual Conference decides whether or not to ordain LGBTQI persons Each pastor decides whether or not to marry samegender couples No one is required to ordain or to marry Each US Annual Conference is responsible to pay for their own bishop Central Conferences (outside the US) still subsidized through Episcopal Fund apportionments CONTEXTUAL CONFERENCES MODEL Grounded in a unified core including some shared doctrine and services 5 current US Jurisdictions replaced by 3 Connectional Conferences covering the whole country, based on theology and perspective on LGBTQI inclusion or exclusion Each Annual Conference or Jurisdiction chooses their connectional conference Central Conferences choose one of the branches or choose to remain in current Central Conference identity Local churches and clergy could choose to affiliate with a branch different from their Annual Conference/ Jurisdiction Branches would include: o Progressive Branch (everyone must ordain and marry LGBTQI persons) o Contextual Branch (ordination decided by Annual Conference, marriage by clergy) o Traditional Branch (existing BOD prohibitions against LGBTQI ordination or marriage) TRADITIONAL MODEL Maintains current Book of Discipline prohibitions related to LGBTQI inclusion Requires increased accountability to these prohibitions: o Requires Boards of Ordained Ministry, Bishops

3 and Annual Conferences to sign compliance agreements to not ordain openly LGBTQI candidates or sanction same-gender weddings o Forced exit for those who cannot sign such agreements o Minimum sentencing for clergy convicted of officiating at same-gender weddings o Creation of a Global Committee to oversee bishops compliance and to censure or forcibly exit bishops not in compliance Other models have also been proposed, including the Simple Plan, which calls for eliminating all prohibitions against inclusion from the Book of Discipline, and also eliminating the requirement for clergy to be celibate in singleness and faithful in marriage around the world. While the Simple Plan creates the most fully inclusive Church, it does not allow for the differences in context (for instance, in parts of Africa it is a criminal offense to be LGBTQI), and it might prove to be difficult to pass because of concerns for ethical behavior amongst clergy. The General Conference begins Saturday, February 23 with a Day of Prayer from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm CST, which will be livestreamed at Legislation will be considered February You can stay informed and get the latest news through these sites: United Methodist News Service: Greater Northwest Episcopal area Communications: GC2019 First United Methodist Church of Portland website: Following the General Conference session the leaders (bishops, directors of connectional ministries, jurisdictional leadership team) will meet here at our church March to help the people of the Western Jurisdiction continue to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and offer Christ s love to a hurting world. Bishop Elaine Stanovsky will be preaching here at both services on Sunday, March 10 and will offer her particular word of hope for us all. Please keep the global United Methodist Church and all the good we are able to do together in your prayers throughout this season of discernment and struggle. And if you have an extra prayer of two, send some my way for strength, and courage and hope. GRACE PEACE& Rev. Donna PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH...OF CELEBRATION For the upcoming gathering of Methodists from all over the globe as they consider the relationship of the church with LGBTQIA persons. May this General Conference be a time of Peace-making and reconciliation. For Kim Hutchinson who is in Saipan in her work as a neurologist. For the congregation of First United Methodist Church as we discern what God is giving us as our next mission. For Michael Copeland s continued recovery from hip surgery. For Marty Martin s continued recovery from foot surgery....of CONCERN For Jan Rakestraw as she recovers from outpatient surgery related to cancer. For Joanne Rannells as she continues treatment for cancer For peace on the Korean Peninsula For those infected and vulnerable to the measles outbreak in Clark County. We pray for those released from Prison. May they find a way forward toward reconciliation and may our communities help them. For Allison Anderson s father, who lives in Minnesota, for health issues. CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR... Lori Fraser Kim Kelleher Diana Lu Justin Leonard Roberta Aaby Shelley Olsson Geiszler and all those we give over to God s care. Page 3

4 MORE HAPPENING AT FIRST CHURCH FAITH HOPE LOVE IN ACTION PLANTING PARTY SATURDAY, FEB 23 9AM RM 202 RSVP: JIM RUYLE BY FEB 21 All are invited to join The Planet Church Committee as they add native plants to the conference center property south of our entrance way under the supervision of our contractor, Michael Carlson. Bring some treats to share. TECH FORUM SUNDAY, FEB 24 12PM FIRESIDE RM CONTACT: MEGAN JONES Do you feel you have more to learn about navigating technology here at First Church? Join us for a tech forum! We ll cover the basics and move our way up. Topics will include computer safety, social media, sharing documents and photos, and more! It is recommend that you bring a device (laptop, ipad, phone, etc.) Lunch is provided. If you have specific questions, please them to Megan. DOWNTOWN YOUTH COLLECTIVE (DYC) PLEASE RSVP TO: ALICIA MCCONNELL AMCCONNELL@FUMCPDX.ORG SUN MAR 3 5PM FIRESIDE RM For this event, we will be having a Mystery Night with lots of games, dinner and an interactive game similar to Clue. SUN MAR 17 12:15PM 1ST PRESBYTERIAN During this season of Lent, we will have a Lenten Lunch, along with games and a lesson at First Presbyterian Church. CHILI COOK-OFF SUNDAY, MAR 10 12PM COLLINS HALL CONTACT: ALICIA MCCONNELL AMCCONNELL@FUMCPDX.ORG. The fierce competition for the Golden Ladle and Silver Spoon has returned!! For this youth fund-raiser, enter your best chili recipe for everyone to try and then vote on the best chili in our church; the youth will also provide corn bread and brownies for everyone to enjoy. Entry forms are in Collins Hall and are due by March 3rd. During this time, we will also be selling native plants and conifers to raise money toward our Youth Program and future mission trips. FIRST CHURCH BOOK SALE HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY, FEB 24 11:30AM COLLINS HALL Due to the acclimate weather forecast on Saturday, Feb 9, the Library committee decided to push the date of the book sale! LENT PLASTIC FAST CONTACT: REV. JOSH KINGSLEY JKINGSLEY@FUMCPDX.ORG This season of Lent, Planet Church and United Methodist Women are leading us on a journey of awareness around plastic in our lives. Join us, and more than five other churches, as we take these 40 days (March 6 - April 20) and adopt the light, non-judgmental burden observing our habits in community. Fun for the whole family or as an individual. Keep watching for our Plastic Reducing Pilgrimage to Easter. Josh for more questions and to sign up for the latest news this Lent. RUTH CIRCLE WED FEB 20 12PM RM 202 CONTACT: JUDY MOON Tea party with Circle of Friends as guests. Refreshments are provided. Program will be The history of tea, a DVD of a Sri Lanka tea plantation. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS WED FEB 27 12PM FIRESIDE CONTACT: NANCY MUIR Maybelle Center: Building Community and Connections Bring a sack lunch. Dessert and beverage are provided. PLANNING TEAM WED FEB 27 10AM RM 110 UMW UNIT WED MAR 6 10AM FIRESIDE CONTACT: JUDY MOON Taking Care of the Earth. Call to Prayer and Self Denial Bring a sack lunch. Dessert and beverage are provided. TABITHA CIRCLE MON MAR 11 10AM RM 202 CONTACT: ERIN RILEY We begin with a short devotional then work on tying quilts for First Church Senior High graduates. Bring a sack lunch. SPECIAL EVENTS MARCH 4 Legislative Day, Salem, Oregon

5 CIRCUIT RIDER THE CIRCUIT RIDER is a publication of First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR Office@fumcpdx.org NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND OR Permit No The Circuit Rider can be ed to you. the church office at office@fumcpdx.org to request it by . Address Service Requested ALL COMERS BOOK GROUP CHANGES NAME TO HONOR ROSEMARY DODDS by Laura Engle At the first meeting of the All Comers book group, three of us met to discuss The Hungry Ocean, a true story about a female sword fishing captain. With Pastor Greathouse s support we were official and Rosemary Dodds became our reluctant organizer. Rosemary called the group All Comers in hopes that a person or persons, as she put it, might feel encouraged to attend even if they hadn t read the book. Under Rosemary s guidance we flourished, reading books on a wide variety of topics. Early titles from the first year include The Right of Thirst, The Places in Between, Mountains Beyond Mountains, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. While our monthly leadership rotated, Rosemary kept us organized. At the beginning of each meeting she would pull out a manila folder and, with a twinkle in her eye, move us through a series of necessary decisions. It is easy to take the early decisions of any successful group for granted. We thank Rosemary for laying our foundation. Eventually it became too difficult for her to organize us. Yet Rosemary continued to attend despite her failing eyesight which forced her to catch the bus to church because she couldn t drive. On one memorable evening she disembarked with two grocery bags full of provisions, including the makings for miniature Sloppy Joes, for our discussion of Cheryl Strayed s book Wild. I mostly don t get the books read, Rosemary said, and I have trouble hearing, but I love the laughter. In January, Rosemary Dodds passed away at Friendsview Retirement Community. We are changing the name of the book group from All Comers to Rosemary s All Comers in her honor. Memorial funds offered in her name will support the church library. A memorial for Rosemary will be at First Church on Saturday, June first at 2pm in the sanctuary. Page 4