Happenings around Parkrose UMC

March 2009, Volume 2, Issue 3

We’ve Lost a Friend: John Smith died at home, Thursday morning, February 26 after a long struggle with multiple health problems. A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2009, 1 p.m. at PUMC.

In Our Prayers: Pam Smith, Bev and Julian (Scotty) Scott, Brenda Smith and Lynn Vosgier.

What’s Cooking at PUMC?
Here’s the short story:

Ministries on the Horizon: click here for the latest community garden

Community Garden: Your community garden team is moving quickly to develop a plan for the 7,000 sq. ft. lot in front of David’s Harp as a place of “hands-in-the-dirt” spirituality. Things happening: site design, water meter/soil testing/construction planning, garden management and policies, publicity, grants and finances (grants written include East Portland Neighborhood Office, Klamath Tribe, Bishop’s Initiative). Now is a great time to join the ranks! Next meeting is Sunday, March 22, 2 p.m. Education Wing. Thanks to Rob & Petal Eaton, Robin Donaldson, Katrina Kellmer, Jane Turville, Jane Henry, and Betty Kennedy. This is a collaborative effort including Parkrose Heights Neighborhood Assn, Sacramento Elementary School, David’s Harp, and, of course, PUMC.

Vine Time Fellowship: 10-12 faithful sojourners have met Saturday evenings for the past two months to: sing, pray, eat, enjoy each others’ company, and discern next steps. Are we a second worship gathering? A covenant discipleship group? When will we meet? What is our purpose? And more… Answers are beginning to form and a purpose is emerging. Whatever are the results, the participants are finding a deepening spiritual path and open doors to the future. All are invited to participate. Come one, come all – Questions? Ask these folks – they’ve been in the middle of it from the beginning: Chris Boothby, Linda James, Steve and Jeni Aubrey, Shannon Starr, Robin Donaldson, Katrina Kellmer, Kevin Witt, Claire Gallagher, Pam and Bill Gates, and others.

Ministries on the Move:

UMW Turban Group Celebrates: You would too, if your group had this record: 10,000 turbans/head coverings, 2,242 small pillows, 453 lap robes have been distributed since Dona Kincade started this group in 2002. Ten or so dedicated members sew at home and meet monthly to sort and sew more items for distribution. Doris Schmidt (95 years young) is proud of her lap robes, two members are thankful for their 37 and 42 years of being cancer free. An article on the Turban group will be featured in the March Mid-County Memo. A display of their efforts is worth viewing in the narthex. Donations of fabrics-especially stretch, and polyester fiberfill or batting are always welcome! The Turban group meets every third Tuesday, 1 p.m. at the church in room #2 and invites you to join them! Questions?-Judy Wilson, Lorry Mays, Doris Schmidt or Harriet Nixon would love to share with you about this great project!

Campbell Soup Label Savers! Thanks to your efforts, Harold Oliver Primary School has purchased two fabulous whiteboard easels and a drying rack for art projects with labels from things we use all the time. Be sure to check Kleenex boxes, General Mills and Betty Crocker products for the Boxtops for Education Coupons, they mean money for school supplies. Thanks for taking the time to clip and drop coupons in the basket in the entry of the church. Dorene Leines

United Methodist Men: Recently sponsored the Annual Valentine’s Dinner. Oh my, what a success! 47 people attended, great entertainment, excellent food and a good time had by all. And congratulations to Ron Kimmel. Man of the Year – what an honor! Click here for a few photo’s of this great evening Valentine Dinner Up next for the UMMen: Easter Breakfast. Stay tuned!

Metro Alliance for Common Good (MACG): Jeni Aubrey, Robin Donaldson, and Carolyn Fairfield are currently completing the basic leadership training institutes for public life with MACG. Robin and Carolyn are first-time participants. Jeni is a reflection group leader. Ask them about their experiences.

Administrative Teams at Work:

Finance Team: Under the leadership of Shannon Starr, your Finance Team is working on developing a “Giving Menu” of projects and ministries for prospective donors. These are ministries that we haven’t yet been able to fund or projects that need to be addressed but for which we just don’t have the money at this time. We often have people with money they would like to give to a good cause, or invest in something that really will make a difference. These folks don’t come around often, but when they do, we like to be ready.

Trustees: Your Trustees have their hands full… and they’re doing a great job! At the moment they’re working toward closing the sale of the parsonage. Inches away to be sure. In connection with that they are contacting the Metro District Church Extension Society to inquire about a safe place to invest the proceeds according to required standards. Your Trustees are also in the process of developing proposals for two separate options for a Church Council decision concerning upgrading fellowship space at PUMC: a) renovate Miller Hall, or b) renovate Education Wing with kitchen facilities. (See Church Council note below)

Staff Parish Relations: Your SPRC, our personnel committee, is beginning to work on a “Safe Sanctuary” plan that supports the ministry with children in our midst.

Church Council/Town Hall: We’ve scheduled two meetings to begin the evaluation of Miller Hall and it’s future. Last fall the Council made a decision to close Miller Hall through May 2009 and evaluate its future at that time. Because it is heated with oil the cost to operate Miller Hall with all the ministries that it hosts was simply prohibitive. We’ll begin the conversation on the future of Miller Hall and options on Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:30-8 p.m. in the Education Wing. Facts and possibilities will be presented and discussed. Another meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2009, 6:30-8 p.m. will follow. Everyone is welcome.