March 29, 2017
Vol.6 Issue 3.4

“I was hungry. And you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger. And you invited me in. I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me.” (Mt. 25:35-36, NIRV)

Then they asked, “When did we do these things for you?”

“The King will reply, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Mt. 25:40, NIRV)

Two great mysteries: the Incarnation – how the King, Lord of the Universe, power of Creation, not only takes on flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, but also in “the least of these,” and the central commandment: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Mt. 22:39, NIRV). Obviously the distinction of the “least of these” is in human eyes: God cares for each one, and requires that we care for each one. Simple – and endlessly challenging. For most of us it takes the companionship of a community of faith to live into these mysteries.

Today’s e-newsletter contains two stories of our UMC communities responding to the challenge of homelessness. We hope they provide some inspiration and support for your own efforts! Let us know what God is calling you and your congregation to do for and with your neighbors, especially “the least of these.”

Also in this issue: Certified Lay Minister courses are available to enrich your understanding of ministry or to advance toward certification. See the Resource section. And we want to highlight that online registration opens April 1st for the Annual Conference Session in Portland in June. Your early registration helps us prepare for your presence! Thank you!

Keep up the good ministry!

Blessings,

Linda Grund-Clampit
Cascadia District Administrative Assistant

Learning to Walk With the Homeless
Forest Grove UMC Explores Providing Low-Income Housing
UPCOMING EVENTS
Prayer Calendar
Resources
Contact us

Learning to Walk With the Homeless

Evelyn Erbele

Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska recently recognized Rev. Evelyn Erbele as the Alaskan of the week. Watch a video of his presentation. Ev and her husband, Terry, are clergy members of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference and UMC Missionaries. Their current mission assignment is as co-pastors of First UMC in Ketchikan, Alaska. One of the programs of the church there is a Day Shelter, which is overseen by Ev.

The Day Shelter provides a hot meal, showers, clean clothes, and shelter during the day for persons without housing. It is open every day of the week. Despite many years of missionary service all around the world, Ev said that this is the first time that she has had the opportunity to walk side by side with those without housing. At first she thought of the folks the Day Shelter serves as “them”. But then God spoke to her, saying “Ev, stop calling these folks ‘them.’ They are as much my children as you are.” As she has come to recognize the diverse and complex reasons that people find themselves without housing, she has realized that she is working with men and women who are in a place where she also could easily be.

The Erbeles will be visiting churches in Oregon and Idaho May 7-21 to share about their ministry and what our connectional support of UM missions accomplishes. The theme for their itineration will be “One Church – 27 Doors.” To arrange a presentation by the Erbeles, (or other missionaries) for your congregation, contact itineration coordinator, Roz Collins at rcol2000@aol.com.

Forest Grove UMC Explores Providing Low-Income Housing

First United Methodist Church in Forest Grove owns a large city block of land, purchased around the 1950s, when the congregation had some 800 members and plans to grow.

“This was riding the post-war church boom,” the Rev. Dan Thompson-Aue said.

But today, membership is fewer than 200. The land is sitting undeveloped. And Washington County has a critical shortage of low-income apartments.

“Maybe God knew why we were going to have this property, and it’s not the reason that we thought,” Thompson-Aue said.

Church leaders have met with Rob Justus of Home First Development about the possibility of constructing affordable housing next to the sanctuary. Preliminary talks with the city of Forest Grove have determined the church could fit as many as 41 units on its property, though Thompson-Aue cautioned “most of us think that’s a little too much for that corner.”

He acknowledges that housing development is a departure for the century-old church. But as many Mainline Protestant churches face declining numbers, it’s time to try something different.

Read the rest of this Portland Oregonian article here . . .

Learning to Walk With the Homeless

Forest Grove UMC Explores Providing Low-Income Housing

UPCOMING EVENTS

Prayer Calendar

Resources

Enrich Your Understanding of Ministry

Contact us