Inaugurations and immigration bans. Protests and press secretaries. News feeds and new Supreme Court nominees. Call after call for civic engagement. The last few weeks have been full of these stories and more, and at times it has felt overwhelming. Every day I look at the headlines or open my Facebook page, and see one more issue that seems to require a response, one more phone call to make, one more status to cut and paste to my wall. It’s exhausting and can lead to compassion/justice/advocacy fatigue. Knowing that holding up our progressive values will be a marathon and not a sprint, here are some thoughts on how we can pace ourselves and create some space for self-care along the way.- Remember the long view—When it comes to surviving hard political times, our ancestors of faith have a lot to teach us. Much of the Hebrew scriptures addresses the relationship between God and Israel during difficult political regimes, and how our forebears sought to be faithful under troubling leaders. Moreover, Christianity was birthed during the heyday of the Roman empire, and we read story after story of Jesus standing up to the powers that be. While we have our work to do, we remember that God is also working on the side of justice and peace. God has shepherded God’s people over the millennia, so we can trust that God will help shepherd us through this time as well.
- Pick a couple areas to make a difference—Thanks to the internet, we have more information coming at us faster than we can process it. At the same time, in the first weeks since the inauguration, issues have ranged from cabinet picks to the Environmental Protection Agency to immigration to women’s rights. It can feel like we’re playing whack-a-mole. To make our advocacy more effective, it helps to pick one two issues to focus our attention. We’ll be able to make a deeper impact, while trusting that others will have passions for those areas that we cannot address.
- Practice Sabbath—These days, we all need a rest, both from the news and from trying to save the world. Turns out God even commanded it. So perhaps we could find a way to practice Sabbath. What if, for one day, we didn’t read the headlines or check our email? What if, for one day, we let ourselves do something life-giving for us? We could refill the well of our own soul by walking in the woods, or spending time with friends, or whatever recharges us.
- Prayer—Prayer is a great way to quiet our souls, connect with God, and offer to God those joys and concerns on our minds. Jesus modeled prayer throughout his ministry, often taking time away in the midst of his busy life to pray. Right now our nation and world need some prayer, too. What would it mean to set aside a few minutes each day to pray for ourselves, for loved ones, for our president and leaders, and for our world? Perhaps we could light a candle, or go for a walk, or simply picture the people we want to pray for while we brush our teeth each day. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can be a way to take care of ourselves in this time.
While these are just a few ways to take care of ourselves, I hope we all can find ways to both rest and recharge. As we live into this new climate in our nation and world, may we continue to draw on the strength of our faith and the community we have with each other. I so enjoy sharing the journey with you.
Blessings,
Rev. Jennie Ott
Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day parties…… That’s what Rob and I also thought about February 14th because we were both teachers in charge of parties. I will say one of the things I enjoy about being retired now is that I no longer need to pull of successful 5th grade parties. I know the kids enjoy them, but from a teacher’s point of view it can be a tough day. Needless to say in our family we didn’t do anything romantic. Too exhausted. In 1990 we did receive the best present ever, and that was the birth of our daughter Hannah on February 9th.
On Rob’s last Valentine’s Day, he was in the midst of chemo and not feeling great. One of the teachers at my school brought us dinner. I will say it was one of the nicest dinners I ever had on Valentine’s Day. She brought a heart shaped meatloaf with instructions on how to assemble the meal. After the meat cooked I was to put a mashed potato ring around the heart and then pour a semi sweet red sauce over the meat. Sounds kind of weird, but it was wonderful. Our dear friends Bill and Nan came over for a candlelit dinner. It was definitely a Valentine’s Day to remember.
I am so thankful for the angels in my life who show extraordinary love and care. I’m not sure my teacher friend understood how much this meal meant to Rob and me. That Valentine’s Day was one that I will never forget.
This act of love popped into my head last week as I sat and listened to James Foreman Jr. at Lewis and Clark. He went through some things that we can do to support each other and to help make a difference in our country during this difficult time. I’m not going to explain all his points, but three that really stood out to me were, first we are the majority. When you get feeling low remember that you are not alone. Second, we must act locally. Get involved in what’s going on. We can make the most change for the ones most in need and change laws to help them locally. Make phone calls, write letters, ACT. The final point that really stood out to me was to support and love each other. When you see someone struggling, stop and take the time to listen, support and show them you care. You may not know the difference that you made, but just like the heart shaped meatloaf, it can be life changing.
May your life be blessed with much love.
Church School
2017
This month the Zoomers (ages 2.5 through kindergarten) class focus is "God loves me and wants me to show love through sharing." Bloomers (1st- 6th) dive into the prophet Micah's call from God to "Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God." Teens (7th- 12th) continue their exploration of faith traditions around the world (2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.)
- Linda Mines Elliott
- Linda Mines Elliott
Valentine's Day Care Packages
The Faith Development Team invites the congregation to join us in sending Valentine's Day Care Packages to members of our community who are 20-something. (Are they the "post-millennial" generation? This old baby-boomer can't keep up!) This is a project we started a few years ago to let young people know we continue to hold them in our hearts even as their life journeys may take them away from us. Members of the congregation will have a chance to write notes to these young people over the next few weeks and we’ll add them to the care packages when we mail them the week before Valentine’s Day. If you’d like to contribute goodies to include in the care packages, let Jan Indermill know. You can reach her by phone at (503) 936-6988 or click here to send her an email. We welcome your participation!
Sue and I want to thank you for the warm welcome we have received during our first months here at LOUCC. It is important to me that we attend a church that fosters growth for both of us. I am relieved and excited that Sue enjoys our new church as much as I do. The church I was at for the past twelve years also has a loving, progressive approach. This inclusiveness was a prerequisite when I was considering joining you here. I appreciate those of you that have taken the time to share your stories and opinions on music with me. I am looking forward to meeting everyone, not just those of you who are musicians. I would like to learn what you feel the role of music is in worship. I want to hear what I can do to enhance your worship experience each Sunday. It could be as simple as letting me know your favorite hymns, or be as involved as playing or singing during worship. I encourage all of you with an interest in singing to consider joining our choir, which meets Wednesday nights at 7:30 and Sunday mornings at 9:45. It is a fun, supportive group striving to support Jennie’s message each Sunday. I also invite you to join our Bell Choir as we prepare for our Easter Service. Please contact me or Karen York (360-931-7819 or happyorks@comcast.net) if you would like to rehearse after church starting February 26th for Easter. If you or a family member plays an instrument, I would love to incorporate their talents into an upcoming service. There is no need to wait until the choir’s summer break.
This first months here have been filled with memories that I suspect will stay with me. I never would have considered attending church in pajamas, but that is exactly what I did on Christmas morning. The service honoring Dr. King’s work was very moving, and celebrating Jesus’ birth with you for the first time was special. I want to thank Dana, Bee and Cheryll for sharing their gifts at the Longest Night Service. Also, thanks to Jennie and all of you for welcoming my piano student, Raleigh Peregrine to the Christmas Eve Service. Earlier that week, I learned that her family were travelling from Tacoma to visit family near Lake Oswego. She often played at my previous church, and I am so proud that she wanted to play at my new church.
In the coming months, I will continue to be moving from my home in Tacoma to Sue’s Milwaukie home, often one carload a week. This is the first time that I have wanted to live with a partner, so this is another big step for me. I’m looking forward to exploring Portland and hoping to get some piano students in our area. I am blessed to be on my faith journey with you.
-Andrew
Tips for Green Living
Build a Backyard Wildlife Refuge
- You can provide food and shelter by choosing the right plants.
- Hummingbirds like red flowers and butterflies like brightly colored flowers in bright sunlight.
- Chipmunks and rabbits are attracted to walls and shrubs.
- Birds are often in need of water. A birdbath is a good solution.
- It is also suggested that a bird feeder be installed to provide food in winter weather.
Contact your local Audubon Society here for more information.
Green Bows again to Pam Rossio this time for fixing cloth dinner napkins into smaller cocktail napkins that are easier to handle at coffee hour.Green Bows to the anonymous donor that made insulated windows happen at church hopefully greatly reducing the heating bill each month.
Green Bows to the anonymous donor who will be paying for the sprinkling system in the front flower garden. The system will be more efficient than hand watering and actually save water. The bioswale and rain gardens on the church property are planted with native plants which don't need watering after they have become established.
Green Bows to all church goers who have been so concerned about the environment along with many other issues as America changes leadership.
Congregational Care Note
The contact person for Congregational Care support for February is Elaine Smilko. Please contact Elaine at e_smilko@yahoo.com or by phone at (610) 308-3577 if you, or anyone you know, is in need of support: meals, visits, rides to church or any type of appointment.
Rev. Jennie Ott will be out of town Thursday, February 9 through Monday, February 13. During that time, Rev. Bee Neufeld will be on-call for any pastoral emergencies. Please contact Bee at (503) 387-5676 or by email at bqneufeld@gmail.com.
Dining for Women will have our next potluck and meeting on Thursday Feb 9th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This month the featured program is the Etta Projects in rural Eastern Bolivia. The focus is on Health, Sanitation and Clean water. Part of the project is training health promoters to promote family planning and birth control. Please join us to learn more about this program and enjoy an evening of good food and conversation. All are welcome. Please click here to find out more information about Etta Projects online. For questions about Dining for Women, please contact Leslie Crowder at (971) 227-6576.
The Congregational Care Committee is grateful to announce that Tammy Scott has answered our call for a new Prayer Chain Coordinator. Tammy will be taking down prayer requests on Sunday mornings and then sending them out to the Prayer Chain. If you have a prayer request during the week, please send it to Tammy at or call her at: (916) 804-0344. If you would like to be added to or deleted from the Prayer Chain, please notify Tammy at tamarascott762@gmail.com so she can update the Prayer Chain contacts.
Thank you Tammy!
Thank you Tammy!
The LOUCC Teens are having a food drive during the month of February. Please bring your donations to church and put them in the food barrel in the narthex. Most wanted foods are: canned meats like tun/chicken/salmon, canned or dried beans, canned fruits and vegetables, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, canned soups/chili/stews. 100% of your donations will go to the Oregon Food Bank. Thank you for your generous donations!
LOUCC has 30 slots reserved to volunteer at the Oregon Food Bank on Saturday, February 25th. Volunteering is a very rewarding experience and helps families and children from all around Oregon and SW Washington who don’t have enough food to eat.Date: February 25, 2017
Time: 9:00AM – 11:30AM (We’ll carpool from church)
Shift Name: Volunteer Action Center - Portland
Address: 7900 NE 33rd Dr., Portland 97211
Shift Description: Repack and label bulk dry food in a lively, active environment! You'll be repacking foods like rice, pasta, apples or potatoes into family-sized packages, either working at tables or around bins.
To make sure you have a spot, you have to register, so don’t forget to sign up! It only takes a minute.
**Please note that if you want to bring family members, they must also be registered. After registering yourself, you must completely log out of your profile before you use the link again to sign up a new family member.
Every volunteer, regardless of age, needs to be registered on line with the LOUCC group.
- Click on the link below
- Click on Create a profile
- Sign up
- Youth 16 and older must sign up separately from their parents (if you don’t have an email address, use your parent’s)
- Parents: you can sign up your children who are younger than 16. You’ll need to sign off and create a separate profile for each volunteer.
Click here to sign up as part of the group: Lake Oswego United Church of Christ.
Contact Jan Standlea at janstandlea@icloud.com or 503-502-1553 with any questions.