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Orchards United Methodist Church Newsletter
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December 2019 - 1st Edition
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I'm not an Advent purist: one who eschews the current Christmas crazes in search of a more contemplative season. I'm more like an 'Advent-seeker,' one who feels that there must be something
more" to the season than crass consuming of goods. What should we do?
I also grew up in a retail household. I know that the "black" in Black Friday refers to the moment in the
year when retail establishments finally begin making a profit. My college education was paid, in part, by
the success of Black Friday. I also know the strain of holiday shopping on the retail worker. I remember
my Mom leaving early to open the shoe store for Black Friday and working early mornings and late
nights tending the shop. My only foray into retail was working the layaway counter during the holidays
and being scheduled for Thanksgiving. It was hard and not at all cheerful.
Into this world of commerce, Christ is born. You may know that Isaiah refers to the Messiah as
"Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace". I think we could also
call Jesus the "Sabbath-Keeping Shop-Keeper". Jesus ushered in a new economy, one measured in the
goodness of the grace of God. He found value where others found trash. He found foolishness where
others found gold. His mom's own one-hit wonder talks of lowly being exalted. What then, should we
do?
Advent is ultimately the fast before the feast. It is the period of preparation in which we get ready for
the party of Christ. What, then shall, we do? I actually think we should fast...perhaps literally in giving up
a meal to pray or serve the downtrodden around us. You could think of fasting as figurative and give up
something else. Perhaps go screen-free on Sundays or spend no money on Fridays or practice rich
solitude on Tuesdays. You can practice community-building or peacemaking or comfort-giving. There are
many options beside consuming too much food or two much stuff.
But what about all the obligations? The family, the parties, the presents, the ____? I guess I don't know
fully what to tell you about all of that. Ultimately, your celebrations or your disciplines this season will
be your choice. I don't have an army or a tax scheme to compel you to pray more deeply or love your
neighbor more justly. What I can say is this: our faith gives us options, options that Jesus himself calls
'easy burdens'.
I hope the season ahead, no matter how festive or quiet, is one of hope, peace, love and goodness.
- Pastor Christopher
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Hi Friends,
Advent is upon us and we will be doing things this December to celebrate the season.
December 1: we will be going to the Grotto as a family engagement event. Meet at the church at 4:00.
December 8: Theology Meal 2-3:30. Location TBD
December 15: Youth Christmas Party in the Fellowship Hall at the church, 2-4.
Can't wait to see you all this month!
Blessings,
Tim
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Our Annual "Hanging of the Greens" will be
Friday, December 6th at 6 pm.
Join us as we decorate the church for the Advent Season. Lots of fun and fellowship as we work together. Contact Betsy Clayton
betsyclayton7@gmail.com
with any questions.
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Advent Celebration is happening on December 15:
We will have the Children's Pageant, cards for our shut-ins and friends, and special "potluck" fellowship where everyone is invited to bring favorite holiday treat/tradition savory or sweet (labeled with name and item is always appreciated)
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If there is anyone that has a young one that would like to participate in the pageant please let me know who and what they would like to do. I will try to accommodate any requests but have limited parts.
Also, if there are any adults (with or without kids) that would be willing to help out with set up, sound, etc please let me know so we can limited the amount of jobs for a single person.
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Saturday, Dec. 7th at 10 am
in the Annex Basement
Do you have Christmas crafts/gifts you need to work on? Looking for fun fellowship as well? Then we're the group for you! Bring your own Craft and join in the fun! Any questions, please contact Shiloh Olson 541-740-8401
or Sherry Hibbs 360-518-9988
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Thanksgiving Week:
Close at Noon - Wednesday - 11/27
Closed All Day - Thanksgiving - 11/28
Christmas and New Years:
Christmas - Closed 12/24-12/26
New Years - Closed 12/31-1/1
Open 1/2 - 9 am - noon - (then back to normal weekly hours 1/7)
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Interested in trying something new and being in fellowship with all generations in a Christ-like setting? A team is being assembled for starting Messy Church, a once-a-month service that involves food, fun, and families. To participate in Messy Church, though, our church needs a team and that means you.
Please contact Shiloh Olson by email, text, call or in person. This is going to be good!!
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Coming in January in the Tuesday Evening Life Group
The Tuesday Evening Centering Prayer Life Group will be starting up again on Tuesday January 7th. We'll spend the four Tuesdays in January discussing the four chapters of
What Do We Do With The Bible? by Richard Rohr. This short little book (58 pages) is about how to read the Bible. Richard Rohr suggests we should read and interpret our Scriptures the way Jesus read and interpreted the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). We expect some great discussions!
Then we'll take three weeks off to line up with the Easter Season. We'll start up again on February 25th (the day before Ash Wednesday) and read Wondrous Encounters Scripture for Lent, also by Richard Rohr (143 pages). This is a book of daily meditations for Lent.
We also keep a focus on Centering Prayer in our Tuesday Evening Life Group. However, Centering Prayer is something you can do whether you participate in a Life Group or not. For more information on Centering Prayer come join us for an evening, or check it out at
https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/centering-prayer-1
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We meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. We'll be meeting January 7, 14, 21, & 28. We'll take a three-week break and then meet each Tuesday starting February 25 and ending March 31 or April 7. Easter is April 12
th
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Just an up date on Family Promise. They have a Day Center in Camas. There are 15 congregations providing shelter and 5 additional churches assist with hosting. They have a Resource Manager, and a Case Manager, and are able to ensure children get to school. They have a 15 passenger Van, and could use a driver. This ensures they are able to get people to and from which ever site they are staying at. They take referrals from Council for the Homeless, and are now also taking referrals directly from Washougal, Camas, and Evergreen School Districts. They announced on Wednesday, that they have 4 graduates from the program, and expect another family to graduate in December.
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A Memorial for those from our homeless community, who have been lost to us this
year will be held
Dec 20th at 5:45 pm
. Service will be held at
St. Paul Lutheran Church,
1309 Franklin St. Vancouver, WA.
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The
Salvation Army
in Vancouver, Washington, celebrated the grand opening of its new facility-located at 1500 NE 112th Avenue-that will allow them to offer more community services.
After years of exploring various options for expanding services in Vancouver, the decision was made to build on property they already own." "The new building allows them to consolidate services that have operated from a leased facility, and saves the most money. It also makes the sense to bring all services to a single campus.".
Over recent years, The Salvation Army purchased lots on 112th Avenue, eventually accumulating 4.2 acres. Construction began in February 2019. The new facility includes a nearly 9,000 square foot community resource center with family services/administration offices, clothing room and shopping style food pantry. The older building was remodeled to expand the kitchen and convert office space into more classrooms for the corps' thriving after-school program.
Established in 1890,
The Salvation Army Vancouver Corps
provides services to families in need throughout the community. The basics of food, clothing, after-school care, homeless prevention services and job training are provided daily. Seasonally, The Salvation Army distributes school supplies and holiday assistance.
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2019 Clark County Low-Income Community Needs Survey
Rebecca Royce of Clark County Community Services Presented at the Evergreen Faith Based Coffee this week. This is another matter which has the potential to impact funding, and what items are on the budget, so it is of importance for our low income and homeless communities.
Clark County Community Services is asking residents who are low-income to complete a survey about their family's needs. The survey, which can be completed online or on paper, will take approximately 15 minutes. It is strictly confidential.
The survey will be available today through Friday, Jan. 31.
An online version is available Click Here for Survey in English, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese.
Paper copies in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Chuukese are available from human services providers such as agencies that offer housing, food, clothing, health services and employment assistance.
If you are unable to obtain a paper copy from a service provider, please contact Rebecca Royce at 546.397.7863 or rebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov.
Community Services is required to conduct a needs survey every three years. The results are used to help prioritize which programs and services will be funded in our community with Community Service Block Grant awards.
Please pass on the information to ensure the county had the information they need to complete the Survey. If you belong to an agency or organization interested in distributing the paper copies, Please contact Rebecca Royce. She is also able to provide postage paid envelopes to ensure the survey gets back and is counted.
Terry Eaton
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Birthdays &
Anniversaries
If we don't have your
birthday or anniversary date,
or if it is incorrect,
please call the office,
892-5240 or email
Birthdays
3 Debbie Anderson
5 Roy Bishop
8 Wendy Lawson
Jay Kitchin
12 Erik Davies
14 David White
16 Scott Harper
17 Elmo Gibbs
22 Pat Jordan
23 Diane Towle
Dakota Tingley
25 Trevor Bevington
Deidra White
26 Zoe Chandler
27 Jenavieve Boruff
*************
Anniversaries
9 Pat & Kathy Funk
12 William & Bonnie
Morrisey
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SFC Patrick Walker
Army
Colorado Springs
SPC Gus Jeffries
National Guard
1st LT Tom Roller
Air Force
has been deployed
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Upcoming
Events
and
Meetings
To View all current
Calendar items
use this link:
Summertime
Ministry Planning Meeting
Monday, Dec. 2nd
6:30 pm
Annex Basement
Heart & Soul Crafters
Saturday, Dec. 7th
10:00 am
Annex Basement
Christmas Treats
at Orchards Glen
Saturday, Dec. 7th
10 am
Men's Breakfast
Saturday, Dec. 14th
7:30 am
Fellowship Hall
Women's Group
Saturday, Dec. 14th
1:00 pm
Annex Lobby
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Hanging of the Greens
Friday, Dec. 6th 6 pm
3rd Annual
Christmas Concert and
Sing-A-Long
Saturday, Dec. 14th
5 pm - Soup Supper
6 pm - Concert
All Church Retreat
April 24-26
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Bulletin/
Announcements:
1:00 pm each Wednesday
Sower Articles:
25th of Each Month
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Contact Information
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Office Hours: Tues.-Thur., 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Phone: 360-892-5240
Pastor: Christopher Gudger-Raines
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