Staying Connected
August 13, 2026
This Sunday with Pastor Anna
Title: Wonder Is Our Work
Scripture:
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
Matthew 19:13-15
Then children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them, but 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.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
Acts 2:2
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Genesis 1:31
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
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
Upcoming Sundays
This Sunday:Intergenerational Sunday-be ready to move your body!
Aug 23 & 30:Pastor Anna will be on vacation Aug 23 through Sep 5*; Pastor Brett Stuvland will bring the message
Sep 6: Bryan Cooper will bring the message
* Rev Erin Martin (Fremont UMC) will cover pastoral emergencies; 541.653.7638, pastorerin@fremontumc.org
Job Opening!
VHUMC is seeking a part-time Youth Leader to guide the spiritual development and well-being of youth in grades 6–12 through relational and justice-oriented ministry. The position is 20 hours per week (Sundays and flexible weekday/evening hours) and reports to Pastor Anna. If you or someone you know might be interested, please forward the job information.
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. Minda and Anna M are planning to go and would love some company! More information is on this flyer; registration info is here (forms are also available on the Welcome table.)
Hayhurst Community Care Day
Our neighbors at Hayhurst Elementary are hosting a garden work party this Saturday, Aug 15, 8:00-noon. Help get the school grounds in great shape to welcome students and families back for the new school year. Bring gloves, pruners, and rakes if you have them. Water and snacks will be provided. For more info, contact Tom Powers at tlanepowers@gmail.com or 503-936-7456.
Pastoral Letter
Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth speaks on the Spokane wildfires and the shootings in Twin Fall, ID. Read his letter here. Give to the UMCOR advance or more directly to the PNW Conference Disaster Response Fund, which helps our disaster response coordinators in times like these.
Getting Ready for the General Conference 2028!
The General Conference is the global, top legislative body of the United Methodist Church. It meets once every four years to set official church law, update the Book of Discipline, establish the global budget, and speak on behalf of the entire denomination. Our Oregon-Idaho Conference will be represented by 1 clergy member and 1 reserve (708 globally, 306 U.S. regional).*
General Conference (GC): May 8-18, 2028 (Minneapolis, MN)
Jurisdictional Conferences (JC): July 12-15, 2028 (Reno, NV)
While our Oregon-Idaho Conference is represented by 1 clergy member and 1 reserve, someone needs to help guide the ship! Pastor Anna was elected as a head delegate (clergy), stepping into a role that serves as the primary organizer, strategist, and logistical anchor for our delegation.
Before and during the global gathering, that means setting our meeting rhythms, reviewing massive amounts of church legislation, and connecting with our broader Greater Northwest regional leaders. It’s all about making sure our local Oregon-Idaho voice is clearly represented on the global stage as we help shape the future of the United Methodist Church.
*Laity
Soteria (Ria) Galo, GC delegate; 1st JC delegate * (head of delegation)
Mark Bateman, 1st GC reserve; 2nd JC delegate
Jan Nelson, 2nd GC reserve; 3rd JC delegate
River Tjossem, 3rd GC reserve; 4th JC delegate
Paul Nickell, 1st JC reserve
Tyler Harmon, 2nd JC reserve
Cynthia MacLeod, 3rd JC reserve
Sara Goetze, 4th JC reserve
Clergy
Anna Cho, GC delegate; 1st JC delegate
Ric Shewell, 1st GC reserve; 2nd JC delegate
Karen Hernandez, 2nd GC reserve; 3rd JC delegate
Daryl Blanksma, 3rd GC reserve; 4th JC delegate
Danna Drum, 1st JC reserve
David King, 2nd JC reserve
Brett Pinder, 3rd JC reserve
John Go, 4th JC reserve
Online Giving
Our financial software is undergoing some changes this month. The online donation form will look different and you may be asked to input your information again. Those who have set up a recurring donation should *not* see any changes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact John Espy or the church office. Thank you for your cooperation.
Food, Film, and Community
Food has a beautiful way of acting as a glue—bringing us together, sparking deep conversations, and crossing cultural boundaries. This fall, IMIrJ invites you to a unique fundraising event that celebrates the rich, diverse flavors and stories of our community. As you watch the first three episodes of the series,Food Foray, you will also get to sample the very foods, from Republic of Georgia, Mexico, and Myanmar, featured on screen. Visit imirj.org/news/food-film-and-community-a-special-fundraiser-for-imirj for more information.
Help Needed
We need someone to transport donated items to Night Strike. Drop off is at 209 NW 4th Ave in Portland, Monday – Friday, 10am–5pm. Their phone number is 503.231.9334. You may also assist the organization by purchasing off their Amazon wishlist- the item(s) are shipped directly to Night Strike.
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.
Want to receive this as a weekly email? Sign up below.