Whew, wasn't Pentecost fun?! What a privilege to celebrate the life-changing flame of God's love with each of you. LOUCC is an incredible community, and I continue to be amazed at all the ways "we are the church"!Although the month of June is "ordinary time" in the liturgical calendar, the weeks ahead invite us to explore the extra-ordinary nature of God's Spirit. Time and again, God provides supernatural care to those at the margins: a destitute widow and her son, a woman judged by others as a "sinner," a man possessed by many demons. How do these stories remind us of the many ways that God cares for us? Trusting in the provision of God's Spirit, how are we called to take bold action as people of faith?
As we move into summer, we'll celebrate some transitions in our common life as a community. On June 5, we'll bless our graduates (high school, college and church school). On June 12, in our congregational meeting after worship, we'll elect our 2016-2017 LOUCC council and ministry teams. My last Sunday with you will be June 26, when we'll share a covenant moment together and welcome back Pastor Jennie Ott.
Thank you for the open-hearted, hard-working ways you truly ARE the church for our world today. I am deeply honored to share in your spiritual journeys, and will always be grateful for this time together.
Rejoicing in God's relentless love,
Liz
Thank you! I have had a wonderful year serving as the moderator of your Church Council. I have worked with so many wonderful people. I have grown. I have stretched myself outside my comfort zone. I would say that we have definitely welcomed the Spirit into our midst.I am thankful to all of the Council members who give so much of themselves to provide such passionate and compassionate leadership to the church. Their collaboration and support of each other has allowed us to accomplish so much this year. I particularly appreciate the church-wide events that allow for relationships and community to develop. Packaging food at the Oregon Food Bank, burying unsightly pipes, hanging banners, Connection Dinners, Poetry Jam, Marching in the Pride Parade, and celebrating numerous life events to name a few.
I am proud to be part of a church that celebrates parental leave. It is such a gift to give Jennie time to be with her family during this transition. And what a gift it has been to have Liz join us as Parental Leave Pastor. Our church has continued to be vibrant and been challenged to go “outside the box” and into the world. I give thanks to the Spirit that brought Liz to us.
As my term as moderator ends, I pass the torch on to the very creative and capable hands of Pam Rossio. She is always up for new challenges (you should have seen her up on the ladder in the fellowship hall putting up the sound proofing panels). She is committed to LOUCC. She will be awesome! Thanks to each of you and your involvement in LOUCC. I feel so blessed to be part of such an incredible family!
Peace,
Nan
Church School
Summer Church School
We celebrate the end of the program year on Sunday,
June 5 - "Recognition Sunday." We will honor high school seniors Cameron Sweetland, Desi Odgers and Sarah Wallin, university graduates Emily Peterson and Lacey Elliott and graduate degree awardees Hannah Rossio and Mike Indermill. We will also be applauding the year advancement of all our children and giving Desmond Tutu's "Bible Stories for Children" to those completing Zoomers and youth study Bibles to those completing 5th grade.
As with previous years we are looking forward to a fun summer church school that will start June 12. Our summer theme is "What a Wonderful World" and we invite LOUCC'ers to share an interest, experience or activity one Sunday this summer with our church school children. As you can see by our theme, any topic counts - science, art, travel, outdoors, books, etc. - all part of God's wonderful world!
- Linda Mines Elliott
June 5 - "Recognition Sunday." We will honor high school seniors Cameron Sweetland, Desi Odgers and Sarah Wallin, university graduates Emily Peterson and Lacey Elliott and graduate degree awardees Hannah Rossio and Mike Indermill. We will also be applauding the year advancement of all our children and giving Desmond Tutu's "Bible Stories for Children" to those completing Zoomers and youth study Bibles to those completing 5th grade.
As with previous years we are looking forward to a fun summer church school that will start June 12. Our summer theme is "What a Wonderful World" and we invite LOUCC'ers to share an interest, experience or activity one Sunday this summer with our church school children. As you can see by our theme, any topic counts - science, art, travel, outdoors, books, etc. - all part of God's wonderful world!
- Linda Mines Elliott
Congregational Care Note
The contact person for Congregational Care support during June is Elaine Smilko. Please contact Elaine at e_smilko@yahoo.com or (610) 308-3577 if you, or if you anyone you know, is in need of support: meals, visits, or rides to church or any type of appointment. Thank you!
Please join us for a potluck lunch and Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 12 following worship.
Come and enjoy a time of fellowship followed by the election of officers for the 2016-2017 year.
During the Congregational Meeting, it is always fun to see the events of the year, so if you have any pictures to share, please send them to Nan Deane at nandeane@comcast.net so they can be included. Thank you!
On Sunday June 19, please join LOUCC’s delegation to the 2016 Portland Pride Parade. Our congregation participates in Pride because we believe our witness to God’s radical inclusivity is so very important and because we have FUN! We’ll join many other UCC churches from the Central Pacific Conference marching in the parade.
LOUCC’s service on June 19 begins with a continental breakfast for all (served from 8:45 – 9:15 a.m.) to be followed by worship at 9:30 a.m. where marchers of every age will be blessed. Following worship, Pride participants will carpool to Portland’s North Park Blocks in time for the parade step-off. Contact Jane Lovelady at (503) 502-4222 for more information or to confirm that you're planning to march.
Volunteers are needed for the CPC booth at the Waterfront Festival for 2-hour time slots on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19. Volunteers greet people, hand out brochures, tell people about our inclusive churches and help booth visitors locate local congregations near them - an awesome way to represent UCC’s extravagant welcome in the wider community. To sign up for the CPC booth: go to http://vols.pt/dwJSxK.
Mission & Social Justice
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We all hear these terms but where do you take donations? We can get confused by the variety of choices. In addition to Goodwill, Salvation Army, and The ARC, there are many more options in the Portland Metro Area. We are starting to compile a notebook of ideas and welcome any ideas that you would like to add. Here's some to get us started:
Clothing
Dress for Success
https://oregon.dressforsuccess.org
1532 NE 37th, Suite B, Portland
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.;1st & 3rd Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Accepts women's dress clothing for work all sizes and styles. They also accept casual clothing that is sold with the proceeds going to women's training programs. Most needed items are jewelry, hand bags, scarves, coats, shoes, umbrellas, and any clothing in plus sizes (16 and up).
Transition Projects
http://www.tprojects.org
Community Warehouse
https://www.communitywarehouse.org
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
http://www.pdxrestore.org
Portland: 10445 SE Cherry Blossom Dr.
Beaverton: 13475 SW Millikan Way
Vancouver: 10811 SE 2nd St.
Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Accepts new and used building materials, furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures and other home goods, for resale in their stores to raise money for Habitat home-building projects. Call (971) 229-8888 or visit website for information on acceptable donations.
SCRAP PDX
http://scrappdx.org/donate/items-we-accept
1736 SW Alder St., Portland
Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
A donation-based creative re-use store and donation center in Southwest Portland. Along with the ever-changing and diverse store items, SCRAP also provides a range of educational opportunities within the community and hosts local reuse-based artists. SCRAP collects clean and reusable art, craft, and office supplies. Call (503) 294-0769 or visit website for information on acceptable donations.
Clackamas Women's Services
Bring donations to: A Safe Place, 256 Warner Milne Rd., Oregon City
Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Accepts donations of art supplies, linens and bedding, cookware and dinnerware, cleaning supplies and other items as needed. Because their needs are constantly shifting please contact their Development Coordinator, Maya Edelstein at mayae@cwsor.org prior to bringing in your donation.
http://www.freegeek.org
This list is just a beginning...watch for more to come. We welcome your ideas and suggestions. Please contact a Social Justice & Missions team member.
-Social Justice & Missions Team
https://oregon.dressforsuccess.org
1532 NE 37th, Suite B, Portland
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.;1st & 3rd Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Accepts women's dress clothing for work all sizes and styles. They also accept casual clothing that is sold with the proceeds going to women's training programs. Most needed items are jewelry, hand bags, scarves, coats, shoes, umbrellas, and any clothing in plus sizes (16 and up).
Transition Projects
http://www.tprojects.org
Household Items
Community Warehousehttps://www.communitywarehouse.org
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
http://www.pdxrestore.org
Portland: 10445 SE Cherry Blossom Dr.
Beaverton: 13475 SW Millikan Way
Vancouver: 10811 SE 2nd St.
Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Accepts new and used building materials, furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures and other home goods, for resale in their stores to raise money for Habitat home-building projects. Call (971) 229-8888 or visit website for information on acceptable donations.
SCRAP PDX
http://scrappdx.org/donate/items-we-accept
1736 SW Alder St., Portland
Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
A donation-based creative re-use store and donation center in Southwest Portland. Along with the ever-changing and diverse store items, SCRAP also provides a range of educational opportunities within the community and hosts local reuse-based artists. SCRAP collects clean and reusable art, craft, and office supplies. Call (503) 294-0769 or visit website for information on acceptable donations.
Clackamas Women's Services
Bring donations to: A Safe Place, 256 Warner Milne Rd., Oregon City
Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Accepts donations of art supplies, linens and bedding, cookware and dinnerware, cleaning supplies and other items as needed. Because their needs are constantly shifting please contact their Development Coordinator, Maya Edelstein at mayae@cwsor.org prior to bringing in your donation.
Electronics
Free Geekhttp://www.freegeek.org
This list is just a beginning...watch for more to come. We welcome your ideas and suggestions. Please contact a Social Justice & Missions team member.
-Social Justice & Missions Team
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This is Green Team's way of thanking folks for being environmental.
Green Bows to Sandy Johnson for her careful planting of drought tolerant flowers and shrubs that only need watering once a week in hot weather.
Green Bows to Ralph and Penny Holcomb for walking to church from their house.
Green Bows to Sherrie Binkley who also often walks to church on Sundays.
Green Bows to Pam Rossio for taking church food compose home and combining
it with her compost which is collected by a commercial compost company in Portland.
Green Bows to the city of Lake Oswego for adding composting to their waste management program.
Green Bows to Lance Rosenau for taking loads of recycling to Foot Hills Recycle when the church store room was cleaned out and organized.
Thank you!
Green Bows
This is Green Team's way of thanking folks for being environmental. Green Bows to Sandy Johnson for her careful planting of drought tolerant flowers and shrubs that only need watering once a week in hot weather.
Green Bows to Ralph and Penny Holcomb for walking to church from their house.
Green Bows to Sherrie Binkley who also often walks to church on Sundays.
Green Bows to Pam Rossio for taking church food compose home and combining
it with her compost which is collected by a commercial compost company in Portland.
Green Bows to the city of Lake Oswego for adding composting to their waste management program.
Green Bows to Lance Rosenau for taking loads of recycling to Foot Hills Recycle when the church store room was cleaned out and organized.
Thank you!
- Green Team
Reflections on Generosity
When we were asked to do a moment for ministry during worship, we jumped at the chance. Then we found out it was for generosity....bummer. But it was too late, we had agreed. So here are the thoughts we shared in worship on May 1st:
Talking about generosity feels almost taboo, and so we’ve done some thinking about why that is. Our first thoughts were that generosity begins with grace not obligation. If our church members practiced tithing, it would feel like an obligation. Our church budget is set almost entirely from our congregation’s collective grace. This feels so powerful to us.
We have a variety of members; indeed our church prides itself on welcoming all. Which leads to another thought: Generosity is not related to wealth. How sad a church we would have if we were judged on wealth. Generosity is related to how an individual feels when they give. We feel good knowing that we're contributing to what this church is. It’s one of the few places where it’s easy to feel generous. And that feeling will be different for everyone.
We hope, that every week, we have members that are unable to give monies, but feel generous knowing that they can help through time and talents, or feeling excited about when they may able to contribute in the future. We feel like we're part of something big when we give. There are many things that cost money in order to make this church function as well as it does and often these things only get noticed if something is wrong. From the roof over our heads, to the beautiful grounds, we all help make this wonderful place work. Our giving also supports Jennie, Tina, Liz, Erin, Deanna, Samantha, and Slobodan. That’s seven people we are supporting right now.
It's only generosity if it feels joyful, not burdensome. We personally give through direct deposit each month, and that does help with budgeting. Sometimes we give something extra. And to be honest, that feels better. It’s some “spur of the moment” thing that sparks the generosity, and we enjoy those moments.
Only give if it brings you joy, and then allow yourself to feel joyful when you do give. Allow a chain reaction of the good feeling from giving. It can lead to you being generous in other aspects of life and also accepting others' generosity when we all will inevitably need it.
Generosity is an attitude, not just an action. What this means to us is to search for ways to be generous in all parts of life. It’s not giving money every week or month, its finding ways to use your life force to contribute. At LOUCC, we have a collective life force that is strong beyond measure. We have willed the following through our generosity:
- Nate and Megan Osborn
Talking about generosity feels almost taboo, and so we’ve done some thinking about why that is. Our first thoughts were that generosity begins with grace not obligation. If our church members practiced tithing, it would feel like an obligation. Our church budget is set almost entirely from our congregation’s collective grace. This feels so powerful to us.
We have a variety of members; indeed our church prides itself on welcoming all. Which leads to another thought: Generosity is not related to wealth. How sad a church we would have if we were judged on wealth. Generosity is related to how an individual feels when they give. We feel good knowing that we're contributing to what this church is. It’s one of the few places where it’s easy to feel generous. And that feeling will be different for everyone.
We hope, that every week, we have members that are unable to give monies, but feel generous knowing that they can help through time and talents, or feeling excited about when they may able to contribute in the future. We feel like we're part of something big when we give. There are many things that cost money in order to make this church function as well as it does and often these things only get noticed if something is wrong. From the roof over our heads, to the beautiful grounds, we all help make this wonderful place work. Our giving also supports Jennie, Tina, Liz, Erin, Deanna, Samantha, and Slobodan. That’s seven people we are supporting right now.
It's only generosity if it feels joyful, not burdensome. We personally give through direct deposit each month, and that does help with budgeting. Sometimes we give something extra. And to be honest, that feels better. It’s some “spur of the moment” thing that sparks the generosity, and we enjoy those moments.
Only give if it brings you joy, and then allow yourself to feel joyful when you do give. Allow a chain reaction of the good feeling from giving. It can lead to you being generous in other aspects of life and also accepting others' generosity when we all will inevitably need it.
Generosity is an attitude, not just an action. What this means to us is to search for ways to be generous in all parts of life. It’s not giving money every week or month, its finding ways to use your life force to contribute. At LOUCC, we have a collective life force that is strong beyond measure. We have willed the following through our generosity:
- A transitional shelter for families battling homelessness;
- Supporting a staff that provides music, church service, bookkeeping, administrative tasks, custodial care, and nursery care;
- Helping congregants go to events helping national and worldwide concerns;
- Running a thriving youth program and assisting sending kids to camp;
- Giving funds and time to prepare thousands of meals for the hungry;
- Changing our building into a green space, and teaching the congregation how to better care for the earth;
- Nate and Megan Osborn
Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 12, After Worship
Please join us for a potluck lunch and Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 12 following worship.Come and enjoy a time of fellowship followed by the election of officers for the 2016-2017 year.
Pictures Needed!
During the Congregational Meeting, it is always fun to see the events of the year, so if you have any pictures to share, please send them to Nan Deane at nandeane@comcast.net so they can be included. Thank you!
Portland Pride 2016
Sunday, June 19, After Early Worship
On Sunday June 19, please join LOUCC’s delegation to the 2016 Portland Pride Parade. Our congregation participates in Pride because we believe our witness to God’s radical inclusivity is so very important and because we have FUN! We’ll join many other UCC churches from the Central Pacific Conference marching in the parade.LOUCC’s service on June 19 begins with a continental breakfast for all (served from 8:45 – 9:15 a.m.) to be followed by worship at 9:30 a.m. where marchers of every age will be blessed. Following worship, Pride participants will carpool to Portland’s North Park Blocks in time for the parade step-off. Contact Jane Lovelady at (503) 502-4222 for more information or to confirm that you're planning to march.
Volunteers are needed for the CPC booth at the Waterfront Festival for 2-hour time slots on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19. Volunteers greet people, hand out brochures, tell people about our inclusive churches and help booth visitors locate local congregations near them - an awesome way to represent UCC’s extravagant welcome in the wider community. To sign up for the CPC booth: go to http://vols.pt/dwJSxK.
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Back by popular demand, the Connection Potluck Dinner is returning in June! The dinner will be held on Sunday, June 26 and will be hosted in a congregant’s home. If you missed the Connection Dinners in April, be sure and sign up for this one in June. It promises to be a most enjoyable evening. Our Connection Dinners are a wonderful way to connect with one another while sharing a meal. Pat Crane will have a sign up sheet at church. You can also reach Pat at (503) 636-0503 or at pdcrane@comcast.net.
June "Connection Dinner"
Sunday Evening, June 26
Back by popular demand, the Connection Potluck Dinner is returning in June! The dinner will be held on Sunday, June 26 and will be hosted in a congregant’s home. If you missed the Connection Dinners in April, be sure and sign up for this one in June. It promises to be a most enjoyable evening. Our Connection Dinners are a wonderful way to connect with one another while sharing a meal. Pat Crane will have a sign up sheet at church. You can also reach Pat at (503) 636-0503 or at pdcrane@comcast.net.
June Worship
| 5th | Speaker: Theme: Text: Reader: Scripture: Ushers: |
Liz Durant Sparked by the Spirit to Trust 1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146; Luke 7:11-17 Dawn Hayami Penny Holcomb Pat Crane, Jane Lovelady, Jan Standlea, Ruth Wallin |
| Counters: | Nancy Delbrueck, Roy Schreiber |
|
| 12th | Speaker: Theme: Text: Reader: Scripture: Ushers: |
Liz Durant Sparked by the Spirit of Reckoning 2 Samuel 11:26-12:7; Luke 7:36-8:3 John Howell Brenda Fulle Ken Gisch, Penny Holcomb, Ralph Holcomb, Kathi Rise |
| Counters: | Paula Larson, Roy Schreiber | |
| ** Early Service! Worship at 9:30 a.m. ** |
| 19th | Speaker: Theme: Text: Reader: Scripture: Ushers: |
Liz Durant Sparked by the Spirit of Liberation Psalm 42-43; Luke 8:26-39 Jan Standlea Carole Heath Amy Grimm, Nan Lefton, Jane Lovelady, Linda Segal |
| Counters: | Nan Deane, Elaine Smilko | |
| 26th | Speaker: Theme: Text: Reader: Scripture: Ushers: |
Liz Durant Sparked by the Spirit to Lead 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Luke 9:51-62 Pam Rossio Luisa Hims Carol Bellows, Pam Brown, Jane Lovelady, Jan Standlea |
| Counters: | Paula Larson, Elaine Smilko | |
|
Generosity Corner
Financial Summary as of
|
|||
| Budget ($) |
Actual ($) |
||
| YTD Income | 73,175 | 69,617 | |
| YTD Expense | 71,602 | 61,079 | |
Attendance |
||
| 2016 | 2015 | |
| April 3 | 96 | 162 |
| April 10 | 74 | 98 |
| April 17 | 82 | 97 |
| April 24 | 106 | 94 |
