Staying Connected
October 1, 2026
This Sunday with Pastor Anna
Title: Divestment and Withdrawal
Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone'"
-- Matthew 21:42
Opportunities this Week:
Sun, 10:30 am: Worship
In the sanctuary and online
Tue, 1:00 pm: Talk 'n' Thought
In the Fireside Room
Wed, 6:30 pm: ImBible Study
In the Fireside Room and online
Send in the Clowns
Our fundraising auction is on Saturday, Oct 10, at 5:30 pm. It includes silent and live auctions, and a fun circus dinner! Invite a friend! This Sunday is the last chance to donate; forms are on the Welcome table.
Online Auction
Most of our auction items can be viewed – and bid on! – online at 32auctions.com/clowns. The online auction begins this Sunday at noon and closes on Saturday, Oct 10, at noon. Current bids will rollover to the event that evening. But you can secure your win by bidding the ‘Buy It Now’ price.
Fireside Friends
The push is on to complete our quilts for the auction and the holiday bazaar. Join us this Moday night from 6 – 8 pm in the studio downstairs.
Survey
The SPRC is beginning our annual review process with a survey so that we can create space for honest, thoughtful conversation about who we are as a church and how we are growing together. There are printed surveys on the Welcome table or use the QR code in your Sunday bulletin for the digital survey. Please share your thoughts and ideas with us by Sunday, October 11.
Mark Your Calendars
Annual Charge Conference is set for Thursday, Oct 29, at 7:00 pm. This is when we vote as a church for Pastor Anna’s 2027 compensation package and any other all-church business. Rev Brian Shimer will be leading us, so it should be a productive, brief meeting. All are invited to attend.
Diana Butler Bass to Speak
Historian, author and public theologian Diana Butler Bass will visit Portland Nov. 6-8 as part of the Seeking Sacred Wisdom Speaker Series at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church. The three days include a Friday evening lecture and book signing, a half-day Saturday workshop and Sunday worship. Tickets, ranging from $20-70, for the Friday and Saturday events are available through Eventbrite.
New Book
Talk 'N' Thought, our weekly book group, is beginning a new book, Rest is Resistance, A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey. Hersey, aka "The Nap Bishop", encourages us to connect to the liberating power of rest, daydreaming, and naps as a foundation for healing and justice. Join in the discussions on Tuesdays, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm in the Fireside Room. Contact Linda M for more information.
Lay Servant Classes
Several Lay Servant Ministries courses will be offered on Zoom from September through November for laity throughout the Greater Northwest and Mountain Sky areas. Foundational and advanced offerings cover spiritual gifts, preaching, prayer, worship, United Methodist polity and more; There are still a few courses available. Review the schedule and register on the Conference website.
Safety and Community Care Workshops
Ministry leaders are invited to a free fall workshop series led by Mazorca facilitation. Security for Gatherings, which met on Sep 16, addressed safety planning for worship, special events and church buildings; De-Escalation on Oct 14 will introduce practical ways to lower the intensity and danger of conflict; and Travel Security on Nov 18 will cover monitoring, check-in systems, emergency plans, and risk tolerance. The remaining Zoom workshops will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Questions can be directed to Brett Pinder at bpinder@umoi.org. Register for the workshops on the Conference website.
Decolonizing Christianity
In today's tense political and cultural climate, how might Christianity be renewed into a tradition that is more faithful to the Gospel — and more capable of responding to the signs of our times? That's the question at the heart of Decolonizing Christianity, a six-session online course led by Dr. Ish Ruiz. Together, we'll examine the historical complicity of Christian theology, spirituality, and ministry in systems of racial, sexual, and economic oppression, while exploring the transformative possibilities emerging from feminist, queer, and BIPOC theological traditions. This course is open to both clergy and laity seeking deeper theological grounding for justice-centered Christian life, ministry, and congregational leadership. More info and registration
Dates: Mondays & Tuesdays, October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
Time: 7:00 PM EST · Six 90-minute sessions
Format: Online
Cost: $150 (Limited partial scholarships available.)
Night Strike
We continue our connection with Night Strike, a ministry to the houseless, under the Burnside Bridge. Our usual evening is on the third Thursday of each month. Slots fill very quickly. You can register at cityteam.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/nightstrike (the link is also at the top of this email.)
Vigils
There are ongoing vigils at the Portland ICE building, 4310 S Macadam Ave, from 2:00-2:45 pm every 1st and 3rd Thursday. Grab your group and peacefully protect our democracy.
Easy Giving
Donate online
Fred Meyer Rewards program, code SY323
CarEasy.org to give 70% of vehicle sale to VHUMC
Contact the church office with any questions.
Calendars
Receiving 2027 calendars that you won't use? You can leave them on the Welcome table and Donna will make sure they get to Neighborhood House for those who need them.
Talk N Thought
The ‘dynamite’ ladies of TnT meet every Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, in the Fireside Room to read and discuss together. Contact Linda Miller at raylindamiller@comcast.net for more info.
Prayer Chain
Email your prayer requests to PrayerVHUMC@gmail.com. If you do not have access to email, you may call Linda Miller at 503.699.8628. The ‘Prayers of the People’ is crafted weekly from this information; please indicate if your prayer is private.
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