Traditionally, Lent is a season of reflection and introspection. In the early church, it was the time when new converts prepared for baptism. Over the years, it has become a season of repentance (repent meaning “turn around”), when we examine our lives for those things that hinder our relationship with God and others, and when we return our hearts, minds, and lives to God.This year at LOUCC, our Lenten theme is “Creating Space for Transformation” as we recognize that there are many ways that both our lives and our world need the transformation of God’s love. Throughout the season, we’ll be exploring both the inner reaches of our hearts and the outer reaches of our community to examine how God is calling us into transformation. How are we being called to return to God? What is the new life that God wants to bring forth in our lives and in our nation? How is God calling us to work for the transformation of our own hearts and the world?
During Lent, we will offer a variety of ways to create space for transformation:
- In Worship—From Ash Wednesday through Easter, we’ll be listening to God’s stories of transformation in scripture and how God’s people experienced transformation in their hearts, minds, identities, and lives. Special worship services this year include a self-guided Ash Wednesday service with interactive stations designed to open our hearts to transformation. Held on Wednesday, March 1 from 12pm-1pm and again from 7pm-8pm this service allows participants to prepare their hearts and minds for the season of Lent. Participants will receive communion and the mark of the ashes.
In our Wednesday Evening Lenten Series—This year we’ll be discussing Joan Chittister’s wonderful book Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope, as we explore the struggles in our lives and how God uses them to build up hope and new life. Each Wednesday, from March 8 to April 5, participants will gather from 6:00-7:30pm to enjoy a simple meal and conversation. Some copies of the book are available at church for $10, or you can purchase your own copy at Amazon here.
- Through a Sunday morning Faith and Current Events Class—After worship from Sunday, February 26-April 2, Minister of Faith Development Adam Ericksen will lead a weekly conversation exploring faith and current events, as we seek transformation in our world. Current event topics will vary each week but will be tied to the scripture text for each Sunday. Adam will send out an article in each week’s e-news in preparation for Sunday’s discussion. Participants will gather from 12-1pm each Sunday for a time of conversation and reflection.
- Through the LOUCC Lenten Devotional—Written by members of our community, this devotional has daily reflections and prayers to help us go deeper into our journeys of transformation. Copies are available in the entryway at church with a suggested donation of $5.00. Many thanks to all the LOUCC contributors and special thanks to Ralph Holcomb for creating the devotional.
As we begin this season, we acknowledge our deep need for transformation in our lives and world. I look forward to sharing this journey of Lent with you and seeing where God’s love, hope, and promises lead us.
Blessings on the journey,
Rev. Jennie Ott
I have had the privilege of representing LOUCC with several other members at the IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) cohort meetings that happen monthly. At this month’s meeting we practiced listening and connecting with someone we didn’t know. They explained how important it is to listen to each other and make connections and to understand each other’s stories. By building relationships we are able to build power. Right now there are 23 churches working together and exploring what it means to be a space for sanctuary. By working together it brings us out of isolation and brings us together. One of the big themes is “We make the road by walking”.
We are in the Southwest Cohort with the following churches: First Congregational UCC, First Unitarian Church or Portland, First United Methodist of Portland, Hillsboro First UCC, Journey Koinania Catholic Community, and St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. This last meeting was the first time we met or Southwest Cohort partners. Hector Lopez is our contact person from IMIrJ.
It’s important for you all to know that “Sanctuary” is the absolute last resort for anyone. This occurs only when all options have been exhausted. Nearly all cases of Sanctuary do not occur suddenly, but rather happen after a series of conversations and encounters between congregation members and the Sanctuary seeker. An agreement of some sort is reached beforehand.
They asked us to put the following number into our phone. It is the PIRC HOTLINE 1-888-622-1510 which is the Portland Immigrants’ Rights Coalition who can give you guidance and references. They encourage us to report any ICE/police/border patrol activity that we witness. Even if you are unsure of what you are seeing, call! If you have your phone, film it.
This definitely pushes many of us out of our comfort zones, but I do believe that God is calling us to stand up for our immigrant neighbors.
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2).
Church School
2017
This month the Zoomers (ages 2.5 through kindergarten) class will revisit some of the lost snow day lessons, focusing on how "God cares about our feelings" using the popular Elephant and Piggie books. Bloomers (1st- 6th) begin an exciting unit focusing on the role and history of faith leaders standing up for justice. Our teens (7th- 12th) continue their exploration of faith traditions around the world with a focus on looking at these traditions through a social justice lens (2nd and 4th Sundays of the month).
- Linda Mines Elliott
THANKS
Our thanks to everyone for your donations of food for the Teen Class Food Drive, and to the 28 volunteers who signed up to work at the Food Bank on February 25. We are also incredibly grateful for the Souper Bowl of Caring donations.
The total raised this year for the Souper Bowl of Caring was $1,635! (including a donation from the Missions Team and from the Michael Grimm Foundation.) Thank you!
- Linda Mines Elliott
THANKS
Souper Bowl of Caring, Teen Class Food Drive, Food Bank Volunteer Day
Our thanks to everyone for your donations of food for the Teen Class Food Drive, and to the 28 volunteers who signed up to work at the Food Bank on February 25. We are also incredibly grateful for the Souper Bowl of Caring donations. The total raised this year for the Souper Bowl of Caring was $1,635! (including a donation from the Missions Team and from the Michael Grimm Foundation.) Thank you!
Meet The Howe Family
Scott and Rachel Howe met at Willamette University while doing undergraduate studies. Having been born in Redwood City, California, Rachel had moved with her family to Lake Oswego when she was young. Scott was born and raised in Salem, so WU was a natural choice. Rachel went on to earn an MA in counseling psychology from Pacific University, her work in the field focused mostly on children. After college Scott went on to OHSU to get his DMD and worked as an associate dentist in Salem, until last year, when he was able to buy the practice where he had been working.They were married on July 24, 2004 and have lived in Wilsonville and Lake Oswego since then. Rachel has been a full time mom since Marisa was born January 26, 2006. Two years later on February 25, 2008, they welcomed Eva into their family. It is birthday season at the Howe home!
Their family’s spiritual journey began 6 years ago, when they started attending a church near their home in Wilsonville. Rachel worked diligently to answer her spiritual questions and learn about the bible, but eventually found the clear opposition to marriage equality expressed by the pastor and many of the congregants to be counter to her passionate beliefs otherwise. During a conversation with her friend, Megan Osborn she heard the words so many of us have said to those we know. I THINK YOU SHOULD TRY OUR CHURCH.
Rachel and Scott knew upon their first visit in October 2015 that LOUCC shared their values! They are looking forward to raising their girls in an environment that is truly “open & affirming” and reflects their values. Rachel loves being involved with Faith Development and teaching church school, which Marisa and Eva look forward to every week. They know the connections they are making will likely lead to lifelong friendships. A reality many of us can attest to.
Along with purchasing Scott’s dental practice and buying their dream home this year, the Howes have joined our community of love and faith. How fortunate we are to have them among us!
- Joanna Thompson
Meet Cathi Rooth
Cathi joined our church several months ago. She was delighted to find LOUCC because she grew up in a Congregational church. She did a search of UCC churches in the area, listening to Jennie’s sermons online and visited on Sundays. She found LOUCC to be a perfect match! She is a member of the Green Team and attends Sojourners .Cathi was born in Chicago Illinois, but grew up downstate in Decatur. She attended the University of Chicago for two years. While working at a summer job in New Hampshire, she met her husband, Guy. After their marriage in 1959, they moved to northern New York state where her husband taught geology at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and she finished her degree in elementary education.
In 1963 Cathi and Guy moved to Oregon so that he could work on his PhD in geology and paleontology at Oregon State University and Cathi taught fifth grade and kindergarten. In 1966 they moved to Monmouth when Guy got a position teaching at what is now Western Oregon University and they adopted their daughter Jennifer and son Gregory.
In 1975 Cathi returned to school at Western Oregon and earned a Masters Degree in Educational Media. For several years she worked as a building level media specialist in Monmouth, and then became the Curriculum & Technology Director for the Central School District. During these years she also taught at Western Oregon as an adjunct during summers and evenings Her professional interests focused on children’s literature and computers. She became very active in the Oregon Educational Media Association, writing a column for the organization for 10 years and serving as president in 1991. She and her husband retired in the late ‘90s.
Cathi’s husband, who was in ill health for several years, passed away in 2011 after 52 years of marriage. After having lived in Monmouth for 49 years (47 in the same house), she moved to Lake Oswego in late 2015 to be closer to her son and his family. She especially enjoys helping out with her two grandsons. Cathi’s daughter lives in San Diego. Cathi loves to travel – she’s been on at least 10 Road Scholar trips! She also loves reading, has written book reviews for a book blog, and loves quilting fabric wall hangings.
Be sure to seek out Cathi at church and welcome her!
-Connie Irwin