The Sower
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Orchards United Methodist Church Newsletter
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August 2018 - 1st Edition
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So, God calls. We answer. The world is healed. It's the in-between where all the drama of humanity lies. I need help living in that "in-between" space. So I turn to ancient people: Jacob, Elijah, Ruth, Jonah, Peter for clues as to how to navigate this space. I also turn to my Pawpaw, my Granny FranFran, my mom and dad and now my kids. I recall beloved parishioners: Elda, Ray, Marcus, Sharon, Sam, Heather, You. These are my cloud of witnesses, who I hope to join one day.
God calls me to many places and circumstances: pastoral ministry, fatherhood, citizenship, resident of Clark County, Washington. But God calls to me FROM many places and circumstances: from my education, my experience in the church, my experiences of adolescence and young adulthood. If I have any advantage, it is that I have a church life that gives me opportunity to reflect and become aware of these echoing calls of God. All I really want in ministry is for people to hear these echoing calls for themselves. The delight I take in ministry is the role of witness to these echoes finding people's hearts and changing their lives--and by extension changing the world. I have found plenty to delight in my first 2 years at Orchards.
When I was a young adult, I thought boldly about changing the world. Now I see both my arrogance and my naivete in such a stance. Nevertheless, the world needs changing. I've learned to not hold my breath for the proverbial bolt of lightning. Rather I clock in for another day of moving mountains one shovel full at a time. When I get weary, I look up and down the hill and realize that God's callings are not mine exclusively. God is doing so much I can't even imagine!
As we near the end of summer and the end of our series on callings, in what ways have you been listening for God? Have you found a biblical companion for your journey? Have you found a companion from your family history? Have you discovered that your companion sits next to you Sunday mornings? The series will come to an end September 2. But the echoes of God's callings don't abide by our human schedule. Keep your ears open and your heart even opener. Perhaps, like Isaiah, a moment will come when God says to you: Who will go for us?
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PROJECT TRANSFORMATION
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Wed. - August 8th
6 pm - 8 pm
All are invited to share a meal with our Project Transformation Families, Interns and Volunteers. Chicken and veggie burgers will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We are planning for around 100 people.
RSVP **Please let Rhonda Davies know what you plan to bring and if you plan to stay for dinner so she can plan accordingly. Call or text:
360-448-0597
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We will be meeting at our normal times this month.
August 16th (3rd Thursday) at 6 pm - Fellowship Hall
August 25th (4th Saturday) at 10 am - Annex
Remember to BYOCraft or just yourself
as we enjoy this time of Fellowship and Crafting.
Contact Shiloh 541-740-8401 or Sherry 360-518-9988
if you have any questions.
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PHOTOS NEEDED
We would love to put photos of this years Retreat (or any other OUMC event) on our Website and FB page. Please take a minute, look through your phones, cameras, FB photos and pull a few to share. You can email them to Sherry at:
orchardsumc.office@gmail.com
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Financial Peace University
We are considering hosting this program again. It will be a 9 week program and the cost would be $109/family. If you are interested in having this class, please contact Norm Brenteson.
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To my OUMC family,
Words cannot convey how truly grateful I am for the support I have received from this community. To all that were able to come to see me in Mamma Mia at Broadway Rose, thank you, thank you, thank you! To those that were unable to attend, I know you were there in spirit. Since coming back to Vancouver, I have felt nothing but abundant love from each and every one of you. You've surrounded my family in our darkest hour, and your prayers and smiles kept our spirits up. Even though I am moving in September, I truly hope you know you are ALWAYS in my heart. I can certainly rest well knowing that I am in yours.
God bless!
Shanise Jordan |
 
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Two of faith partner organizations, both
Faith Action Network, and
Faith Partners for Housing are looking for volunteers to help staff their booth at the
Peace and Justice Fair.
Here is the request for
Faith Partners for Housing.
Volunteers Needed for Saturday Sept. 8, 2018
Peace & Justice Fair
in Esther Short Park
Please volunteer for one or more of the shifts listed below by emailing
In your email include your name, email address,
phone and whether you accept text messages.
Shift #1 7-9:30 includes unloading canopy, banners, tables and set-up
Shift #2 8:30-10:00
Shift #3 10:30-12:30
Shift #4 12:30-2:30
Shift #5 2:30-3:00 cover booth for one-half hour then pack up and help load up after 3 PM.
Thanks for your dedication to affordable housing for all.
To volunteer at the FAN booth,
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Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Birthdays
3 Deb Burlingame
9 Allison Hibbs
12 Dorothy Shepard
13 Jenah Boruff
16 Terry Eaton
Jason Olson
17 Hunter Roe
19 Kathy Funk
20 Judy Klineline
Ed Masters
23 Charles Chandler
26 Dustin White
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Anniversaries
6 Eric & Betsy
Clayton
7 Michael & Allison
Hibbs
8 John & Terry Eaton
11 Ray & Katie Dehler
12 Mike & Diane
Coats
17 Stu & Merle
Lockhart
29 Bill & Shannon
Roller
If we don't have your birthday or anniversary or
if the information is incorrect, please email
the office at:
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Patrick Walker
Army
Fort Carson, CO
SPC Gus Jeffries
National Guard
1st LT Tom Roller
Air Force
has been deployed
Corpsman
James Major
Navy
Biomedical School
San Antonio,Texas
SGT Ben Major
Marines
Camp Pendleton
San Diego, CA
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Upcoming
Events
and
Meetings
To View all current Calendar items
use this link:
Men's Breakfast
Saturday, July 14th
7:30 am
Women's Group
Saturday, July 14th 10 am
Thursday, July 19th 6:00 pm
Fellowship Hall
and
Saturday, July 28th
10:00 am
Annex
Planning Team
Tuesday, July 24th
7:45 am
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Here I Am Potluck
Sept. 9th
All Church Retreat
April 26-28
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HELP
NEEDED
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Sharon Knudtson will be moving August 24/25
and needs help moving. Please call her if
you are able to help.
360-719-8510
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Contact Information
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Office Hours: Tues.-Thur., 8 am - 2 pm Phone: 360-892-5240
Pastor: Christopher Gudger-Raines
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