Staying Connected
October 8, 2026
This Sunday with Pastor Anna
Title: Dressed for the Old World
Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14
“God’s kingdom,” [Jesus] said, “is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!"
-- Matthew 22:2-3
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 Auction
The online auction continues at 32auctions.com/clowns until this 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.
Then, on Saturday evening at 5:30 pm, we have our big fundraising event. It includes silent and live auctions, and a fun circus-y dinner! Invite your friends!
Auction Setup
We will be setting up Fellowship Hall tomorrow, Friday, beginning at 5:00 pm. We'd appreciate some help if you are available. Thanks!
Help Needed
We will need help after the service on Sunday, Oct 18, to set up the Fireside room for the AR8 Conference Retreat, which will be meeting at VHUMC on Oct 20-22, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Thanks!
Guest Speaker
Rev. Melissa Reed, a Lutheran pastor and Director of Land Liberation at Oregon Synod will be our guest speaker on Sunday, Oct 18. She knows the power of community to nurture active, curious, relentless faith in an incarnate, relational God. Read her captiviating bio at https://oregonsynod.org/welcome-rev-melissa-okeefe-reed/
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.
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.
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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