September 19, 2019
The Season of Letting Go

Though my wife decried the arrival of "winter" as the first autumn rain drop made it's way into the grass, my heart has been dancing and breathing a great sigh of relief with every rain storm and strong breeze choosing to blow past my windows. I love the fall. It's a wonderful time to be like the trees by letting go of what no longer serves me, quieting my life, and digging down my roots into what nourishes my spirit.

Just as the trees let go of their lives and settle down with bare branches for the winter, so do we quiet our lives and find new nourishment at various times in our lives. This is quite normal and after busy periods, is even welcoming.

For much of the summer, I've spent the weekends traveling around Oregon and visiting friends. It's been fun to be out and about, seeing new places, and enjoying the outdoors. But now I sit and watch the rain fall down into the branches and, like the still green leaves, I open myself up to the water's nourishment and relax into the cool morning air. I can feel the time of letting go arriving - that release of the summer's busy schedule and settling into being home in my writing chair more often. It's time to release the outward activity and go inward to the calm center, searching out my soul, searching for God, and, hopefully, finding myself.

As we switch gears as a church community into our fall schedule against the backdrop of changing leaves, it's a good chance for all of us to think about releasing what we no longer need and digging down into the soil that nourishes our spirit. Perhaps you would be nourished by joining a book study and finding a community you didn't know you needed. Maybe you, too, have been traveling and are now home and thinking about using your time to volunteer and help your community. Or, you may just want to be home working on your hobby or playing a musical instrument because that is what you love. All are good ways to let go and renew yourself.

Whatever way your roots dig down this season, know that God will be there with you and will guide you as you quietly learn and grow, gathering your strength and peace of heart.

Sarah Katreen Hoggatt
In This Issue
Open Door Churches newsletters are sent out every other Thursday.
Open Door Churches Webpage

Our webpage is live!!  Go to  opendoorchurches.org to see information about 
each of the churches and ways you can be involved.
Open Door Communitea
October 12, 2019 - 10-11 a.m.
Keizer Clear Lake

Welcome to the first of many "meet and greets". The Open Door Church Board would like to invite you to our first event to meet and connect with your pastors in a different setting.  
 
Keizer Clear Lake will be hosting the first meet and greet. Join us on Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 am- 11:00 am for a cup of tea and to be in community with each other. There is no cost for this event and it is open for all in our Open Door Community to attend. Please RSVP to Keizer Clear Lake office (503- 393-2402) for the event so we know how many to prepare for.  
 
If you would like to help with Communitea please contact the church office.
 



Open Door Churches Discipleship Group Options Are Here!

It's here! The discipleship group options for the various meetings hosted through the Open Door Churches this fall.

Dialogues: On the Refugee Crisis
Refugees in America,...it's a rough topic, both at a local community level and from a national policy perspective. To bring perspective and meaningful conversations around this topic, the book offers 8 unique perspectives from experienced authors from renowned organization such as World Relief and Church World Service that provide insight into refugee stories and experiences. The DVD provides weekly helpful input and is created as a documentary which give viewers an inside look at the center of the refugee crisis and how it plays out in real life. [8 weeks / $18]
  • 6:30 pm Tuesday starting on October 1-Meeting at Morningside UMC, 3674 12th St. SE
  • 6:30 pm Wednesday starting on September 25-Meeting at First UMC, 600 State St.
White Fragility: Why It's so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
In this 2018 book, antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to bad people. Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively in this important dialogue. [9 weeks / $10]
  • 1:30 pm Tuesday starting on October 1-Meeting at Morningside UMC, 3674 12th St. SE
  • 10:00 am Wednesday starting on October 2-Meeting at Trinity UMC, 590 Elma St. SE
Bible Study: Scriptures for the Upcoming Sunday
Bring your own Bible and join others in a great study focusing on the scripture which will serve as the focus for worship in all the ODC churches the upcoming Sunday. Led by Pastor Alyssa, this promises to be great opportunity to ground yourself in the scriptures used in worship.
  • 6:30 pm Thursday starting on September 12-Meeting at Salem First UMC, 1110 17th St. SE
We Make the Road by Walking: Bishop's Study of a Cross Over Year
This Tuesday afternoon group has chosen to accept the Bishops invitation to participate in a Cross Over Year. The study is reading Brian McLaren's "We Make the Road by Walking". While this is a year-long study by the group at Keizer-Clear Lake, if this topic is of interest to you, you are very welcome to join the group for some or all the fall discipleship group season. You can even stay with the group in 2020 if you wish. Go on-line to get your book.
  • 1:00 pm Tuesday starting on September 10-Meeting at Keizer-Clear Lake UMC, 7920 Wheatland Rd. N.
Sermon Series:"Psalms of the Heart"
September 15-October 6, 2019 
 
Join us each week as we explore the power of the Psalms! 
 


Dick Weissman is Coming to Trinity
Sunday, September 29th at 1:00 pm 
In the Church Sanctuary

Dick Weissman was born in Philadelphia,  where he began piano lessons at the age of seven. His musical career was interrupted by a teenage career as a semi-professional ping pong player. Following the advice in Pete Seeger's banjo book, Dick bought a five string banjo at a pawn shop in the skid row section of town, abandoning it when he couldn't figure out how to tune it without breaking strings. While attending Goddard College in Vermont, Dick met Lil Blos, who offered to teach him how to play the banjo. At about the same time Dick won a guitar in payment of a gambling debt that was part of his ping pong expertise.
 
 
Spending his junior year in New York and New Mexico, Dick met the gospel blues guitarist Gary Davis in New York, and had the great experience of sitting in on a number of occasions with Gary at the house of Tiny Ledbetter, Leadbelly's niece. Dick studied with guitarist Jerry Silverman during this New York sojourn, and met the superb banjoist Stu Jamieson in Albuquerque. 
 
After graduating from college, Dick moved to New York, and spent the next four years alternating between attending graduate school and becoming active in the folk music scene in Greenwich Village. Eventually he dropped out of Columbia, performed with Happy Traum, did a two week gig at Folk City opening for Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, and with John Phillips and Scott McKenzie formed the folk-pop band The Journeymen. Three and a half years, three Capitol albums and several hundred concerts later, Dick moved back to New York and became a studio musician, record producer and songwriter. 

Suggested $5 donation for the concert. Proceeds go to the Lord's Cupboard Foodbank. 
 
 Volunteers Needed at West Salem Food Bank 
 
The West Salem UMC food bank is in need of a few more volunteers.  
  • A person is needed on Monday mornings from 9:00 am - 10:00 to unload food delivered to the food bank.  
  • Another person or two are needed to record and help intake the food deliveries on either Monday or Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 pm.

If you can help, please let Dan Pitney or the FUMC church office know, 503-364-6709.

Thank you to those who have responded to the request for help! 
Open Door Churches Women's Luncheon
Saturday, September 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by United Methodist Women 
 
You are invited to a luncheon at First United Methodist Church for all women from the Open Door Churches, the United Methodists of Salem-Keizer! 
 
Childcare is available (RSVP is required) for this event which includes lots of good food and many moments of connecting with other women! For meal and childcare planning, please RSVP to: dfitzpat@willamette.edu or   doloresmiddleton@gmail.com by Monday, September 16.
 
The guest speaker for this event is Heather Hawkins, Community Relations Director for Family Building Blocks.  
Open Door Churches Young Adults  

We have begun an Instagram account as we have noted young adults spend more time on Instagram than on Facebook. You can follow our Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/open_door_church_young_adults/) to learn more about who our group is and what we are up to.

The Open Door Young Adult group meets on Wednesday's from 7-8:30.  During the summer, the young adults rotate locations. Please email Pastor Alyssa ( alyssabaker08@gmail.com) to get on our email list. Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the Open Door Young Adults.  

Check out our group's Facebook Page: CLICK HERE 

Upcoming Events 
  • Wednesday September 18th - Conversation, & Community on Psalm 121 at Frozation at 7pm
  • Saturday September 21st - Oaks Park
  • Wednesday September 25th - Coffee, Conversation, & Community on Psalm 139 at IKE Box at 7pm
  • Sunday September 29th - Worshipping at Trinity and Morningside to share about our retreat!
     
Transformations Prayer Retreat
Site: Suttle Lake Camp
Dates: 9/22/2019 - 9/27/2019
Age Level: Adult
Cost: $369
32nd Annual Transformations Prayer Retreat

Leaders:  Rev. Kate Conolly, Rev. Michael Powell, and Rev. Nancy Slabaugh-Hart

The Transformations Prayer Retreat blends contemplation and community. Emphasis is on the communal sharing of the sacraments, with ample time for the solitude of prayer, meditation, and reflection. Come apart to renew your spirit and re-center yourself through time in Christian community and intentional time with God.

The Prayer Retreat is structured so that your days can be custom made to provide you with the rhythm of community, solitude, and worship you need for spiritual renewal.

There are three worship experiences each day, grounded in daily scripture. Each morning begins with Holy Communion. At noon we gather for quiet, contemplative worship. At 5 o'clock we share an interactive worship time focusing on the scripture that we have lived with during the day. There is ample free time for rest, hiking, reading, and canoeing on the lake. Kate , Michael, and Nancy will lead evening programs.

All of this takes place in the beautiful and restorative setting of Suttle Lake Camp. The outstanding staff provides us with Christ-like hospitality and delicious, nourishing meals.

This year's focus will be on Joan Chittister's book, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully.

For more information and to register: CLICK HERE 
Union Gospel Mission's annual Harvest Celebration Dessert
 
Union Gospel Mission's annual Harvest Celebration Dessert is on Friday, October 4, 7-8:30 p.m.  The celebration will be at the Salem Convention Center (200 Commercial Street SE).  We are sooooo delighted that Open Door Churches has once again been invited to host a BIG table for this amazingly joyful community event that brings many community supporters to hear about UGM's success in helping thousands of hungry, hurting, and homeless men, women, and children who come to UGM in need.  UGM is able to meet the immediate needs of those who walk through their doors--and most importantly!--UGM shares God's Love, Grace, and Compassion with them.  This year
Mike Yankoski will be speaking.  He wrote the book UNDER THE OVERPASS that tells the true story of his his living homeless in some of America's largest cities.  He's an excellent speaker!   
 
Let Mary Ann Robinson (503.393.7377) know if you'd like to join our Open Door Churches' table--or borrow
Yankoski's book.  We'll all be served a yummy dessert, and a $25 donation from each participant is greatly appreciated by UGM and can be given at the event.  Hope that you can join us!
 
Congregations Helping People is Seeking Volunteers
 
Congregations Helping People is overflowing with our neighbors who face the crisis of eviction or utility shut-off. Thank you for your ongoing financial support. CHP is in need of morning volunteers for our Monday-Thursday 9-12 office hours. If you'd like more information, please contact Rebecca Strader at 503-391-4365 or Rebecca.strader@chpsalem.org. We are also looking for new ideas and "new blood" for our Board of Directors beginning in January 2020. If you would like more information, please contact Roberta Moore (503) 510-9006 or Albert@ipa.net. 
Halloween Fun For Everyone!
Saturday, October 26th
2325 Egan Rd. NE, Silverton

Our Open Door Churches Halloween Family Fun Barn and Youth Group Halloween Barn Dance are on the schedule again this year!

The fun begins at 5:30 with a kid-friendly spooktacular event for families and kids ages 0 - 12. Costumes are encouraged, there'[ll be food and drink, pumpkins, games and activities. For questions or to offer your help as a volunteer, contact David Deckelmann at 503-508-5085.

Following the Family Fun Barn, the teens take over the barn for their annual Halloween Barn Dance. All youth from 6th grade to 18 are invited and encouraged to bring friends! There will be a costume contest, a DJ with music, a photo booth games and much more!

 
 
 
Come Visit!
We, as Open Door Churches, are a wonderful community together. To continue building our relationships, it's good to visit each other. If you would like to visit one of the other Open Door Churches, here are all our Sunday service times:
  • Trinity - 9:30 a.m.
  • Morningside - (Face to Face) 8:30 a.m.,10:30 a.m.
  • Salem 1st - 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
  • Las Naciones - 12:30 p.m.
  • Keizer Clear Lake - 10 a.m.
  • West Salem - 11 a.m.