Staying Connected
May 14, 2026
This Sunday with Pastor Anna
Title: Safe Sanctuary for our LGBT+ Youth and Children
Scripture: Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 19:13-15
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” --Matthew 19:14
Opportunities this Week:
Sun, 10:30 am: Worship
In the sanctuary and on Zoom
Tue, 1:00 pm: Talk 'n' Thought
In the Fireside Room
Wed, 6:30 pm: ImBible Study
In the Fireside Room and on Zoom
Youth/Family Meeting
We are making some changes to our youth program and space, and we want your input and ideas. Anyone who is interested is welcome to join us in the Fireside Room after worship this Sunday, May 17. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Crystal at 509-949-1513 to RSVP and to arrange for dietary allergies/preferences.
You’re Invited!
Marilyn C is celebrating her 95th birthday this Sunday, May 17, at Tualatin Marquis Assisted Living, 19945 SW Boones Ferry Rd, from 1:00-3:00 pm in the 1st floor dining room. Share in a great lady celebrating a great birthday!
Game Night
This Sunday is our monthly gathering to play board and card games. Join us in the Fireside Room from 4:00-6:00 pm. Feel free to bring friends, games, and snacks to share. No experience necessary!
Fireside Friends are Moving!
Our quilting group is ready to move into our new studio space (the former youth room.) If you would like to help, meet us downstairs anytime after 4:00 pm on Monday, May 18.
Pastor Anna OOO
Pastor Anna will be out of the office from May 18-20 for an AR8 Design working retreat, and May 25-27 for the Sacred Leadership Initiative.
ICYMI: Dream Cast Update
Over the past two months, Dream Cast has gathered four times—1.5 hours each—with a genuinely diverse group of people from across our ministries. We've been using Vanessa Andreotti's "House of Modernity" as a map, honestly examining the foundations, walls, doors, roof, and what's been left outside our institutional house, including some uncomfortable truths about who we've centered and who we haven't.
What we've been learning:
· That decolonizing isn't just an idea. It's an embodied practice in how we see, how we relate, and how we make decisions together.
· That the people Jesus most consistently showed up for are often the ones outside our house. That's not just historical. It's a present-tense question for us.
· That this work starts with us — with each of us examining what we carry and what we've been taught not to see.
What we're committing to:
· Listening more intentionally across our ministry contexts — Bible study, the garden, quilting, outreach, book club — gathering wisdom that's already alive in this community.
· Moving from mapping to embodied practice: connecting the dots between our decolonial vision and what we actually do here week to week.
· Bringing the wider congregation into the vision, not just the outcome.
Camps for All Ages
The Oregon-Idaho Conference of the UMC offers camps and retreats for all ages at their six locations. They serve individuals, families, educational institutions, religiously affiliated groups, social service agencies, community service organizations, and other nonprofit organizations that enrich life in the world. Find your place at gocamping.org
Sunday Parkways
A Southwest Portland Sunday Parkways event is scheduled for this Sunday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You may participate in a 2.6 mi walk or a 2 mile bike ride, beginning at Gabriel Park and ending at Spring Garden Park. Along the route there will be music, entertainment, food, family-friendly activities, and more. Be aware that some neighborhood streets may be closed for the event. More info at https://www.portland.gov/sunday-parkways/2026.
Save the Date
Beaverton Pride in the Park will be on Sunday, June 28. As in previous years, we will hold our Sunday morning worship at the event. We have secured a booth and a spot in the parade! Watch for more details.
Camp Magruder Fundraiser
You're invited to enjoy a benefit concert supporting Camp Magruder, featuring renowned Pacific Northwest musician, John Nilsen. Join us Saturday, May 30, at 3pm at Lake Oswego UMC for a camp-tastic afternoon of music, fellowship, and purpose at a benefit concert featuring a solo piano performance by Oregon’s own John Nilsen. John, a cherished member of the Camp Magruder family, is a world-class songwriter, pianist, vocalist, and composer. All proceeds from the concert will go toward the Smith & Herron Lodge project – helping to restore and enhance two of Magruder’s oldest and most beloved structures. With more than 20 albums released and well over a million albums sold worldwide, John is every inch the troubadour. His accolades include membership in the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and being named a Yamaha Signature Piano Artist in 2021. John will bring an unforgettable performance to support Camp Magruder, and we sincerely hope to see you there. Go to the Eventbrite page to get your tickets.
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.)
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 2026 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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