MARCH 2019 NEWSLETTER
New Sermon Series
"Turning Toward Life"
March 10, 2019 - April 14, 2019

Join us as we enter the time of Lent - a time of reflection and evaluation, temptation and tests, preparation and commitment, for longing and anticipation... a time of turning toward life!

See you at Morningside. ❤️����������

"Bedazzled"
Luke 9:28-37
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Worship Services at 8:30 and 10:30

During our Sunday worship times this week we will celebrate and be in communion with God, support and listen to one another and focus on ways to live lives or love and service to all of God's children.  Pastor Wendy will also share updates from her time at the Special General Conference this week.

Join us for worship this week.
In This Issue
Worship Schedule
Sundays
8:30 am - Face to Face
                 Worship
10:30 a.m. - Worship
11:30 a.m. - Fellowship Time
10 - 11:30 a.m. Childcare is offered for infants and toddlers every Sunday morning.

Newsletter Deadline

March 25th by 9:00 am
March Birthdays
4    Don Main
      Jean Anderson
5    Morgan Savage
6    Betty Frank
      Kennedy Martin
      Liz Hunt
8    John Eichelberger
      Raya DeGrado
10  Margaret Gross
12  JooBee Crossler-Laird
      MeeMee Crossler-Laird
13  Eddward Johnston
      Hale Thornburgh
14  Doris Thompson
16  Brandon Norval
17  Carol Berkeley
21  Ed Olson
23  Margie Lowe
24  Thea Lawrence
26  Fred Molesworth
      Nancy Johnson
27  Rachel Nelson
      Shawn Clark
30  Frank Lasher
      Ozsana Cherepanov
      
March Anniversaries
7    Ron & Lynn Ham
22  Brenna & Doug Norval
In Case You Missed It...
Reflections on the Special General Conference

Dear Members and Friends of Morningside United Methodist Church, 
 
I have made my way back home from General  Conference in St. Louis.  To be honest, my emotions have been rather raw at times ranging from anger, grief, and heartbreak while also having moments of profound inspiration and hope. 

By now many of you already know of the heartbreaking decision made at General Conference to adopt a plan that affirms the current book of Discipline and does not allow for the full inclusion of all people. 
 
We do not yet fully understand the effects of this decision.  There are many unanswered questions to be worked out in the months ahead. 

As you wrestle with this news, please know that you are in my prayers and a beloved child of God.  Our reconciling ministry at Morningside and Open Door Churches will not change.  If you  would like to talk, vent, or process this news in any way, I will be in the office this Thursday morning from 10:00-12:00.  Our Sunday, 8:30 am Face to Face worship experience will be a time to share feelings and prayers for the church and our 10:30 worship service will  affirm our inclusive ministries of God's love as we share communion.
 
We are forwarding to you two letters.  One is from Rev. Donna Pritchard, Senior Pastor at First UMC of Portland.  She heads the Western Jurisdiction Leadership team (the whole western part of the US).  The other letter is from our District Superintendent Rev. Tim Overton-Harris.
 
As we grieve the General Conference decision, let us also reaffirm our belief in resurrection and that a new day and a new church is being birthed.  Let us hold one another in prayer as God guides us forward."
 
Rev.  Wendy Woodworth
In our prayers...
Those with health concerns, illness, and loss of loved ones:

Edith Benninghoff, Nahnie Williams, Geraldine Hammond,
Susi Bromley, Lyle Dragoo, Glen McCall, Paula Kent, Ken Amend, Elisa Reckendorf, Robert Kuenzli, Arlen Hollinshead, Lynn Ham, Diane and Brigitte Rolph
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
Tuesday, March 5th, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Keizer Clearlake UMC

Keizer Clearlake UMC is hosting their annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed from 5:30 - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 5 at Friendship Hall. Pancakes, ham and applesauce will be served. There is NO set price for the meal, but donations are accepted.
Immigration Law Forum
Thursday, March 7th, 6:30 pm (Herrmann Hall)
RESCHEDULED DATE

Our Church & Society Team have rescheduled the Immigration Law Forum that was cancelled last month due to weather.  See you this coming Thursday, March 7th!
 
Morningside's Church & Society Team is hosting an informative evening presentation by a local attorney who will be discussing immigration law.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the presentation on this timely topic.
New Saturday Evening Worship for Lent: Soup and Spirit! 
Saturdays, March 9th - April 20th, 2019,  6 p.m. 
Location: Las Naciones UMC
 
As we make the journey through Lent this year, we are turning towards life by turning towards each other for body and soul nourishment every Saturday night at a new evening worship called "Soup and Spirit" led by Pastor Alyssa throughout the season of Lent. 
 
Every Saturday night at 6 p.m. from March 9th through April 20th, we will gather as an Open Door Churches community for a special time of enjoying a bowl of soup and good conversation around the table. (Location to be announced)

Relaxed and informal, we'll have time to get to know each other in greater depth and explore sections of scripture as we share our thoughts and lives on a weekly basis. This is an evening worship time for all ages where all voices are welcomed and all appetites are filled. 
 
We'll begin the evenings with a short prayer, fill our bowls with delicious soup, then talk about our experiences in relation to the passage for the night with those at our table.

Whether you can make it for every gathering or just one or two, please join us for this time of community building and sharing together. Details on each evening worship will be released as we get closer to Lent. If you would like to be involved in the planning of this worship service place contact Pastor Alyssa. ( alyssabaker08@gmail.com ).

While you have your calendars out to write down the dates you want to go, make sure to include these other special Holy Week worship services on your calendar.
  • Ash Wednesday: March 6th at Salem First UMC, 7 pm
  • Maundy Thursday: April 18th at Morningside, 7 pm.
  • Good Friday: April 19th at Keizer Clearlake UMC at, 7 pm
Spring Discipleship Studies
Tuesdays @1:30 beginning March 12th (6 weeks)
Morningside - Fireside Room

"Living the Way of Love: A 40-Day Devotional (Mary B. Sullivan)"

Sign up today for this year's Spring Discipleship Study. Mary B. Sullivan's book, "Living the Way of Love: A 40 Day Devotional," will be our text and Pastor Wendy will also be leading us in a weekly spiritual discipline. ($10)

A sign-up sheet and registration forms are available in the main hall on the bulletin board. Sign up today!

Methodoers - "How to Write Your Memories"
Tuesday, March 19th, 10:30 AM ( Fireside Room)

Join the Methodoers for their monthly lunch meeting featuring special guest, Ellen Harveaux, who will present a talk about how to get started writing your personal memories.  Bring a pen and a sack lunch - beverages and dessert will be provided.
Community Homeless Connect 2019
Clothing Drive & Volunteer Opportunity

Morningside is proud to, once again, help support the great efforts of the Salem Leadership Foundation, local area churches and agencies for the Community Homeless Connect event.

The annual event brings together over 50 agencies and 300 volunteers to connect chronically homeless adults to health care, IDs, employment skills, housing resources, and more in one location on one day.

Last year, over 300 volunteers connected over 400 individuals in housing crisis with needed services. Community Action Agency and Salem Leadership Foundation have been working together for over 10 years to make this event possible at Salem First Baptist Church.

To begin, we are hosting a WARM ESSENTIALS CLOTHING DRIVE to donate to the event. We are collecting Warm Socks, Scarves, Hats, Gloves, Coats and Hand and Foot Warmers. All of our WARM ESSENTIALS will be donated to the the Connect Event for distribution to the homeless adults participating in the program.

Please bring your donations every Sunday for the next month and drop them in the baskets in the main hall. The event coordinators will pick up our donations on Monday, March 25th.

And finally, if you are available to VOLUNTEER for the actual event (Mon., Mar. 25th [Set-up] and Mar. 26th [Event]), please sign up by CLICKING HERE. There are many positions to fill including Set-up and Clean-up, Greeters and Guest Guides, Food Servers and Interviewers. It takes a lot of volunteers to put this event on and your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks for your helping to keep the homeless warm.


Morningside's Annual 
Rummage Sale
Friday, March 29th (9 - 4) & Saturday, March 30th (9 - 3)

The dates of the Morningside Women's Annual Rummage Sale have been changed this year. The Rummage Sale will actually be March 29th and 30th. Start cleaning out your closets, cupboards and garage for rummage sale donations. Stay tuned for more information!
Open Door Churches Youth Group March Schedule 

Mark your calendars and join in the fun!  Youth Group will be held at Salem First UMC (FUMC) during the month of March (unless listed otherwise)
  • March 3: Youth Group @ FUMC
  • March 10: Youth Group @ FUMC
  • February 17: Youth Group @ FUMC
  • February 24: Youth Group @ FUMC
Open Door Churches Young Adults
March Schedule
 
The Open Door Churches Young Adult Group is made up of college students and young professionals ranging in age from 18-29 who are exploring questions of faith together. The group meets every Wednesday evening from 7-8:30, usually at IKE Box. Please look at our Facebook page for specific dates, times, and places.

Note there will be NO Young Adult meeting on Wed., Mar. 6th, due to Ash Wednesday service.  Young Adults are encouraged to attend this special service as a shared experience.  The service is scheduled for 7 pm at Salem First UMC.

Thank you for your continued support of The Open Door Young Adults. Please contact Pastor Alyssa at   alyssabaker08@gmail.com with any questions. 

Check out our group's Facebook Page:  CLICK HERE 

Quick News Items, Save the Dates and Reminders
  • Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon - Interfaith Advocacy Day, Mon., Mar. 4th
  • Immigration Forum, Thurs., Mar. 7th, 7 pm (HH)  RESCHEDULED DATE
  • Spring Discipleship Study, Begins Tues., Mar. 12th, 1:30 pm (FR) (6 weeks)
  • Community Homeless Connect Event, Tues., Mar. 26th (Salem First Baptist Church)  VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
  • Morningside Annual Rummage Sale & Jewelry Jamboree, Fri., Mar. 29th (9 - 4) and Sat., Mar. 30th (9-3)
March Activities Calendar - What's Happening at Morningside?

For a larger, printable version:  Click Here

Morningside United Methodist Church

PO Box 3076, Salem, OR 97302

Telephone: 
503-364-5013
Email umcmorningside@gmail.com
Web: morningsideumc.net

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30-2:30
                        Office is CLOSED on Friday

Ministry Team
Ministers: All the Laity
Lead Pastor: Rev. Wendy Woodworth 
Communications Administrator: Vicki DeVol
Bookkeeper: Christine Stevens
Family & Program Ministry Director: Christopher Frost 
Chancel Choir Director: Sam Kinney 
Praise Band Leader: Jan Nelson 
Organist: Brace Langenwalter 
Keyboardist: Teresa Stewart 
Custodian: Tim Bulletset 
Childcare: Noemi Morales, Fabiola Morales, Carlee Hunt
 If you need a printed copy of the newsletter, copies are available on the counter in the Narthex.