September 2022 Newsletter

"The Shape of Jesus's Life"

Greetings Fremont Family,

This is the first September in two and a half years that I have felt like some form of regular life together might be coming for us at Fremont. There has been so much disruption, so much undoing, so much change. Many times we have made starts and stops and plans to gather only to have those plans thwarted by a seemingly endless pandemic. We are all weary and a little thin from so much extended upheaval. How do we put our lives back together again? How do we resume and grow together knowing that everything has changed? 

For me, I begin in the spirit of Jesus's invitation to discipleship. Jesus called friends. He did not embark on his ministry alone, but rather, gathered a community of followers to go with him into the heart of living God's way on earth. In our sermon series for this late summer and early fall, we are learning about the "shape" that Jesus's ministry took. We are seeing that Jesus is particular in calling his disciples to pattern their lives, not just after his teaching, but after his doing. His disciples were to learn, grow and follow him by participating in Jesus's way of life. In other words, discipleship means lots of practice and full body participation.

Starting on September 8, choir will rehearse at 7pm on Thursday evenings. Our hope is that by mid-September, we will be adding a Thursday evening Bible study also. The format will likely be Lectio Divina (contemplative scripture reading) to start with and an openness to going deeper into Bible study and spiritual growth.

Our prayer is to begin to encounter one another as companions on the way. We can't find our way and make our way alone. We need one another to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God and with each other.

See you on Thursday evenings at church!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Erin

United Women in Faith (formerly UMW)

The United Women in Faith will meet in person at Sarah Richardson's home, 2870 SE Tibbetts St. on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 10:00. The morning will begin with treats and talk, followed by our meeting and program. Please let Sarah, sarahrsews@gmail.com, know if you will be attending. If you would prefer to attend via Zoom let Trina Leschber, aleschber@aol.com, know and arrangements will be made. All Fremont women are invited to attend.

“Giving Counts”

News from your Fremont Finance Team

            It’s easy to understand how our regular giving benefits the church, by allowing for yearly budget planning, having a regular, dependable source of income to cover the anticipated, and also the unanticipated expenses that arise.   This year, Fremont’s income and budget are ‘holding steady’ so far, and that is a cause for deep gratitude.  Major work has been completed in the church building, and the parsonage has had a much needed (and overdue) renovation to make it habitable for the Martin-Collier family.  It is possible, though, that there will be a budget shortfall as 2022 proceeds, and the Finance Team is always looking at ways to be prudent with church finances.  The ‘Christmas Tree Sale’ team will convene in the coming weeks to explore the feasibility of a sale this year, and we will keep our congregation informed as we learn more.  

            The second part of the story about giving and generosity is that it benefits the giver in very real and measurable ways.  That is also something to celebrate!  Did you know that research studies have shown that people who give regularly, whether to a church or other non-profits, report more happiness, less stress, and even have lowered blood pressure.  One study reported that even those with serious and chronic illnesses felt some improvement in their overall health when they were able to express generosity toward another person or program.  Regular giving helps us to be more disciplined in our financial lives, knowing that our gifts extend beyond ourselves, but also bring benefits to us as givers.  

Introducing Fremont's new Music Director...

Dear Fremont Family,

Am I imagining it or is fall creeping into the air? I know when I wake up, the mornings are much cooler, and I am delighting in the energy that comes with them. The fall brings back school, soccer, clubs, and to my great joy, choir! I am so looking forward to Thursday evening rehearsals with the beautiful folks in the choir as we delve into our music. I feel so honored and excited to step into the role of Music Director at Fremont this month, and I truly hope to come alongside you all to create worshipful and meaningful music.

Music has been my way of connecting with God for as long as I can remember. When I was young, it was through singing. Later I conversed through playing the piano, then the oboe, and now back to my voice. I have a soft spot for the hymns that comfort us and ignite us, and I also love music composed more recently that can speak to liberation and justice and our evolving faith. I hope to use it all for the glory of God.

Last weekend, my husband, Drew, and I took a walk at Mount Tabor with our “pandemic pup”, Schubert. We admired the delicate spider webs, the warmth of the late August sun, and our sweet Schubert sniffing every single plant along the path. With the next morning’s hymns floating through my head, I was filled with gratitude for my family, for my church, and for music. I can't wait to see everyone on Thursday, September 8 at 7pm for the start of Choir Rehearsal in the second floor choir room.

Warmly,

Lindsay Hogan.

All-Church Potluck on September 11

"Rally & Remember"

Join us in worship on Sunday, September 11, for a special rally Sunday where we will offer a blessing for our children and youth who have returned to another school year. We will pray over our children and youth, and then invite them into a special "surprise" for that Sunday. Then, after worship, we will host an All-Church potluck in the Fellowship Hall. We will eat, visit with one another and prepare for our upcoming Centennial Celebration on Oct. 23. Part of our time together will be to make a Fremont Timeline by the decade. We will tell stories and revisit some wonderful moments in Fremont's history. You won't want to miss this special day! Please bring a dish to share.

Bookclub Discussion

Hello Readers.

Please, join us for the books we have lined up for this summer and fall! Get these books on your calendar, and start reading.

September 12th, we will share Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang. This book is about a Chinese American doctor, and addresses the timely themes of pandemic living, coping with loss and the uncertainty of being other in America.

November 14th, we will revisit a favorite author. This time Colson Whithead (Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys) paints a picture of Harlem is the 1960s. Do read 

and discuss Harlem Shuffle with us.

Happy Reading!

Suzanne Wardenaar

Parsonage "Open House" & Hootenanny!

Come sing along at our family-friendly summer hootenanny at the parsonage! Pastor Erin is hosting, and Lindsay and Michele (and others) are strumming. We’ll have songbooks and dessert for you, hopefully in the backyard. Bring a camp chair, your instrument if you’d like, and your voice for sure! Open House begins at 3pm (drop in). Music will start at 5pm on Sunday September 18th. Questions? Email Michele at MicheleLB@comcast.net



Housewarming for the Parsonage

Several people have asked about offering a housewarming for the newly refurbished parsonage, to help with any finishing details as the Martin Collier family makes the parsonage their home.  We can call it a “Parsonage Warming”, and the funds will be used for some needed lawn maintenance or another final project.   If you wish to make a gift, you can add “Parsonage”  to the memo line of your donation.  You will be joining other Fremonters who have given to the parsonage project to return the historic home at NE 27th and Fremont to be a beautiful part of our church’s mission and vision in the community.  

If you would like more details about the financing of the parsonage remodel project, please feel free to contact Finance Team Chair Robert Greaves  at 503 481-0185. 

Concert at Fremont

Saturday, September 17 at 3pm

Honoring Our History-Living Our Hope

An update on Fremont’s Centennial Celebration

One hundred years of ministry from the corner of NE 26th and Fremont…that is something to celebrate.   Our theme for the centennial is “Honoring Our History-Living Our Hope”.  It’s a message that reflects deep gratitude to the those in 1922 who prayed, cooperated, sacrificed of their treasure, and rolled up their sleeves to help create the building that still stands.  The theme also embodies the faith that arises from Living Our Hope.   It’s a faith that continues to be expressed in 2022 through our care and dedication to vital ministries for the present and future.

Celebration Sunday is set for October 23, 2022, so please plan to be in church that day.  We are all invited to participate in the development of activities and plans over the next few months.  We will be collecting memories, and also memorabilia, to reflect life at Fremont over the last 100 years.  What has Fremont UMC meant to you?  How has your faith been nurtured?   Whether you are a ‘long time Fremonter’,  a visitor, or part of the Fremont community via email, your stories are important.   What can you do now?  Please pray for the Centennial to be a time of renewal and joy.   Let Diane Rheos, (360 790-3248) or Kathy Elliott, (503 308-3731) know if you would like to help, or if you have memorabilia to share.  And, please “stay tuned” as plans develop. 

September Birthdays

9/2 Edie Stoaks & Steve Johnson

9/3 TaeViondre (TJ) Thomas 

9/5 Michelle Bernstein

9/9 Stacy Chan & Louise Darling

9/12 Dorothy Stout

9/18 Elka Root

9/20 Lena Royale

9/21 Jean Root

9/22 Claire Martin & Amy Edwards

9/28 Linda McCann & Cameron Elliott

9/30 Mark Cotton