Staying Connected
July 9, 2026
This Sunday with Pastor Anna
Title: Staring at Dandelions with Jesus
Scripture: Matthew 6:26, 28
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin.
Opportunities this Week:
Sun, 10:30 am: Worship
In the sanctuary and online
Tue, 1:00 pm: Talk 'n' Thought
In the Fireside Room
ImBible Study on hiatus until Sep 16
Demolition this Saturday!
Like tearing things apart? This Saturday, July 11, we will be moving everything out of the church office and removing the carpet, in preparation for new carpet and paint next week. We will also remove the carpet on the west stairs. Please join us! Bring your work gloves, a sharp box knife, and a good quality (KN95/N95) face mask, if you have them. Workers will be rewarded with ice cream sundaes afterwards!...
Replacement
...And then on Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 am, we need to move the furniture back in. Please sign up at the Welcome table this Sunday, so we can contact you if anything changes.
Youth Meeting
Following worship on Sunday, July 19, the youth and their parents will meet to start planning their new space and activities. Lunch will be provided; please RSVP to Crystal C.
Back-to-School Drive
The Grauer Project is collecting new or gently-used tees, shoes, and coats for students, kindergarten through high school. Items may be brought to the church office for delivery to St Luke Lutheran. The Grauer Project is a volunteer, nonprofit cooperative partnership of faith organizations, social service agencies, and businesses created to respond to the back-to-school needs of children in Southwest Portland who are eligible for the federal free and reduced lunch program. Their goal is to support 400 students this year. You may bring items, or choose to donate any amount at https://www.grauerbacktoschool.com/donate
Portland Pride
Portland area UMC congregations are participating together in Portland Pride events again this year. Any individual who would like to join us is invited to do so. Here's the info provided by Fremont UMC:
Festival Booth: We have booth #88 this year and have had such a great time in past years at our booth. Festival goers have stopped to tell us their stories and it's been an honor to listen. Help them make their own bead bracelets, pass out stickers celebrating their identify, or pick up some of the RMN merch! Volunteers are needed. Please register for a shift here: SignupGenius Link
Pride Parade: We march together in the Pride Parade on Sunday morning. We gather around 11:30 a.m. and generally finish around 1:30 p.m. Come celebrate, dance, sing and spread the love that our churches are. Please contact Diane at office@fremontumc.org to register for the parade so that we can send you the specific instructions once we have them.
Mission U
United Women in Faith are hosting a study to discover what it can look like to walk with God as people who face adversity, issues of justice, and a heritage of relational and spiritual connections. The registration for the virtual version, July 23-25, is open until July 19. More information is available here
Missionary Presentation
Katherine Parker, UM missionary to Nepal, is speaking at Gresham First UMC on Monday, July 20, at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend her presentation followed by a complimentary lunch served at 12:30 p.m. by United Women in Faith. Katherine is currently serving in Nepal, where she has been since 2013. She has been connected to missionary service since 2000 and is the granddaughter of Rev. Wendell Coe who served GUMC as pastor back in the 70’s. RSVP to Donna with Gresham UMC at 503-622-3226 or donnawaltman38@yahoo.com
Soul Care Retreat
Women of faith, caring for your well-being and seeking balance is part of embracing the fullness of life that God offers and desires for all people. Join in setting intentional time aside for spiritual renewal and reflection at a one-day retreat, on Saturday, Aug 22, at Tigard UMC. More information is on thisflyer; registration info ishere (forms are also available on the Welcome table.)
Grief Gatherings
Grief is a normal part of living. Grief comes with all loss — including but not limited to death. New strengths arise when we weave loss into our ongoing lives. The Grief House offers multiple gatherings, both in-person and virtual, to support you in your grief - through nature, quilting, Reiki healing, and other methods. Learn more at griefhouse.org/portlandgatherings
Concert in the Park
You’re invited to an evening of music and fun at the annual Hayhurst Concert in the Park on Friday, August 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Pendleton Park. The fantastic Boka Marimba band will be performing, plus there will be kids’ activities and food carts from Hot Lips Pizza and Kona Ice. Vermont Hills will host a booth; details coming soon!
Hiatus
ImBible bible study will not meet in person again until Wednesday, Sep 16. If you are interested in joining a weekly discussion group on Zoom, contact John E for more information.
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 atcityteam.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/nightstrike(the link is also at the top of this email.)
Film School
Mr. David’s School of Film will be using Fellowship Hall again this summer, for their week-long kids’ camps. If you know a kid, age 5-14, who loves stop motion, Lego animation, and/or movie making, visitmrdavidfilm.comfor more info.
Kids Summer Camp
Adventures in Spanish invites kids, ages 5-9, to have fun learning Spanish through song and play. The weeklong camp, June 29 - July 3, will be held here at Vermont Hills from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm each day. Learn more and sign up at adventuresinspanish.org
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.
Want to receive this as a weekly email? Sign up below.