Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WORSHIP
AT FIRST
CHURCH
January 29
Worship at
10:30 AM
February 5
Worship at
10:30 AM
Reconciling
Sunday
SUNDAY
WORSHIP
BELIEVING THINKING ACTING
www.fumcpdx.org
ECUMENICAL BIBLE
DISCUSSION & FELLOWSHIP
As it appears, the ONLY downtown
ecumenical Bible Discussion begins here at
First Church on Thursday, February 2, 2012.
The format is a discussion group of lay
participants and at least one clergy person.
The Rev. Joanne Rannells will be present as
the group gets started. Discussions will
follow the common lectionary for the church
year and all you need to do in preparation is
pre-read that weeks scripture and come with
your Bible, comments, and questions. The
weekly gatherings will be publicized in part
through Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
and Christians of all denominations from
nearby churches will be encouraged to attend.
It should be a lively discussion each week,
which will help you interpret scripture and
its meaning in application to the daily events
of your life. Plan to join this new fellowship
group! Starts Thursday, February 2, 10:30
AM to noon in the Church Library. Bring
coffee/tea, water will be available.
For more information contact Mark Ohlson,
Outreach Coordinator at 503/228-3195
(ext. 220) or mohlson@fumcpdx.org
Back by popular demand! Join Rev. Donna for a discussion
of the following weeks Scriptures in this relaxed, informal
setting on two Wednesdays in February: Wednesdays,
February 1 & 8, 2012 at 7:00 PM at Goose Hollow Inn.
PREACHERS PUB
TWO WEDNESDAYS IN FEBRUARY
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Rev. Donna
Pritchard
a message
from our
pastor
I am soon (February 6th) going to be celebrating another birthday maybe even by the
time you get this edition of the Circuit Rider I will be blowing out those 50-some odd
candles on my cake. So I decided it might be Iun to fnd out a little bit about myselI as I
fnd myselI on the internet.
It turns out that I am not only a United Methodist clergywoman, and the senior pastor
here at First United Methodist Church of Portland, Oregon. It turns out I am also an
award-winning Registered Nurse, a realtor in the San Juan Islands, the owner of a
liquor store in southeast Missouri, a youth worker in Times Square, a rugby player, a
member of the Pool Committee in Verona, New Jersey, a human resource associate for
the Canadian government, a model somewhere in Wales, a psychologist in Winnipeg, a
principal in Georgia, a founding member of the Dallas, Texas Harley Davidson chapter
And that is just a sampling Irom the frst three pages oI 'hits in my Google search
using the name Donna Pritchard. It boggles the imagination, doesnt it? To think that
there are so many other 'Donna Pritchards in the world, doing such amazing things,
having such different lives and impacting the world in so many different ways.
I could probably see myself playing rugby, or serving on that pool committee, or
working in a school somewhere. I could see myself doing a little HR work for Canada,
or some youth ministry in New York City. But probably not nursing . and defnitely not
creating 'HOG heaven in Dallas - or anywhere else, Ior that matter!
Yet thinking about all those other Donnas may be a good thing, as I contemplate another
birthday. For the year ahead promises to be as surprising, ambiguous, challenging,
joyful, and open as any year before it, full of many opportunities and many choices to
make. The year ahead will be as full of possibilities as I am able to allow.
All of us create ourselves in every year of our lives by the opportunities we seize and
the ones we let go by the choices we make and the roads we travel. So it might be a
good thing to imagine the possibilities from time to time. Who knows what your next
'Googling might reveal? For as Paul puts it in the book oI Romans .
'You did not receive a spirit oI slavery to Iall back into Iear; but you have received a
spirit oI adoption. (Romans 8:15)
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Donna
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Things You Can Do On Our Church Website
www.fumcpdx.org
1. Check out the First Church calendar.
2. Read Pastor Donnas blog.
3. Download a copy of the bulletin/insert.
4. Download a past sermon.
5. Listen to an entire worship service.
6. Make a donation to the church.
And much, much more ...
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PRAYERS OF SYMPATHY FOR ...
Sue Beardwood, in the death of her very good friend
Charles Bernard. Charles died on
January 21, 2012 after an extended illness.
PRAYERS OF CONCERN FOR ...
Monika Gleason, who has been diagnosed with
late stage Lyme Disease. She is the
granddaughter of Sue Beardwood ...
OUR PRAYERS CONTINUE FOR ...
Virginia Bender, Judie Carpenter, Nancy Beth Davis,
Doris Lavely, Olive Pomeroy, Marilyn Ringquist,
Jim Jozwiak, and Kyong Vaandering ...
CHANGING CHRISTIANITY
This class meets each Sunday morning at 9:00 AM in Room 202.
The class is currently discussing Twelve Steps to a Compassionate
Life, by Karen Armstrong.
FAITHLINK
This class meets each Sunday from 9:15 to 10:15 AM in Room 134
This weekly study analyzes current events from a Methodist
perspective. FaithLink is a study for individuals or groups who
want to apply their United Methodist beliefs to current faith issues
and world events. This essential guide motivates Christians to
consider their personal views on important contemporary issues.
FaithLink also encourages action for beliefs. Please join us each
Sunday for lively discussions and inspiration.
A SHORT-TERM ADULT CLASS:
READING & USING THE BIBLE
Rev. Dr. Tom Rannells leads the fnal session oI Reading and
Using the Bible, on Sunday, February 5, at 9:00 AM in Room
110. Those who are newer to the faith or those who would like a
'reIresher course on the Bible are encouraged to attend.
Adult Sunday School Classes
CONCERNS
PRAYERS
JOIN THE FIRST CHURCH UMVIM
TEAM TO UMCOR WEST
Space is still available on the First UMC Volunteer in
Mission Trip to UMCOR West (Utah) June 3-10, 2012.
Sarah Baker and Dee Poujade will lead a group of
volunteers to the Methodist Supply Depot in Salt Lake City,
Utah, where they will perform volunteer service work
packing health, layette and sewing kits for distribution to
disaster areas across the globe. Cost of the trip is about $600,
which includes transportation (either by plane, or by auto
with an overnight stop in Idaho), lodging at the Episcopal
Retreat Center in Salt Lake City, most meals (shared meal
preparation at the retreat center and in local restaurants),
donations to the work project and insurance. A $100 deposit
will hold a place on the team; application Iorms are available
in the church oIfce.
Anyone who would like additional information
can contact Sarah at 503/239-7709 (sarah baker1915@comcast.net)
or Dee at 503/243-3337 (deelaw33@hotmail.com).
Pictured above are volunteers from the
2011 VIM Trip to UMCOR.
At the very back you can see Lowell Greathouse.
LAST SUNDAY YOUTH GROUP
On Sunday, January 29, 2012 the youth group will have its Last
Sunday of the month adventure, lunch at the Sushi-Go-Round.
Bring $10 for lunch. Meet after worship in Collins Hall.
On Sunday, February 26, meet in the Youth Room after worship
for pizza lunch and games.
First Church Youth
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Hundreds of books will be on sale Sunday, February 5, 2012.
It takes place in Collins Hall during Coffee Hour after worship
on that day. This is your chance to stock up on bargain reading
materials to get you through the winter. Titles will be available on
all sorts oI topics, fction and non-fction alike, best sellers, books
for children or grandchildren, and more. All money received goes
to purchase new books for the outstanding resource library here at
First UMC. See you at the Book Sale!
Mardi Gras Party