Preparations are being made, casseroles are being planned and music is being practice - it's time for this year's Open Door Churches annual Worship & Celebration Potluck Picnic.

Pastors Wendy and Dan, Sandy, Alyssa and Mario will lead us in worship along with our combined choirs and praise bands.

After worship, we'll share a potluck lunch along with games & activities. Ice water, silverware, & plates are all provided.  Besides bringing your potluck dish (with the ingredients marked), bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, outdoor games (if you have one), a sun hat and sunscreen.

Mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun and special time of worship.  As was the case last year, there will be no worship services held at Morningside that day.  See you at the park!  

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

You can either sign up at your local church or use the online form.The due date to sign up is Monday, September 9th so let's get set for a great experience!

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 September 24-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 First UMC, 600 State St.

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

The time is quick approaching but there is still time to register for this year's annual Transformations Prayer Retreat at Suttle Lake, from Sept. 22nd to Sept. 27th. If you'd like to attend, please contact the GoCamping registrar at 503-802-9214.

This year's focus will be on Joan Chittister's book, "The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully." [Ed. The book is available on Amazon and other online websites.]

For additional details about the retreat and more information about this year's book/author,    CLICK HERE .

Good News: The foundation will match what the congregation raises up to $20,000. In the last week we have gotten $3,490 so we have achieved about 35% of our goal. We can do this!

Telephone: 503-364-5013

Email:  [email protected]

Web: morningsideumc.net

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30-2:30

                        Office is CLOSED on Friday

Ministers: All the Laity

Lead Pastor: Rev. Wendy Woodworth 

Communications/Office 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