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“PRESBYTERIAN PORTFOLIO" (USPS 006-105) is published monthly by The First Presbyterian Church, 390 NE 2nd Street, McMin-nville, OR 97128-4789. Periodicals postage paid at McMinnville, OR. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to "PRESBYTERIAN PORTFOLIO", c/o First Presbyterian Church, 390 NE 2nd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128-4789.

First Presbyterian Church

Together in Christ for all.

Prayer Requests

Contact Carley Bushart at 503-560-0183 or prayer@fpc-mac.org

Portfolio Staff

Managing Editor: Matt Johnson Editor: Nancy MacDonald

Church Staff

Pastor: Matt Johnson mattj@fpc-mac.org Administrative Coordinator: Nancy MacDonald nancym@fpc-mac.org Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries: Kate Satterstrom kates@fpc-mac.org Interim Worship Coordinator: Phillip Thompson-Aue philliptaue@gmail.com

Next Portfolio Deadline: September 20, 2021

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Presbyterian Portfolio

First Presbyterian Church 390 NE 2nd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128

503-472-6256 / fpc.mcminnville@gmail.com / fpc-mac.org Vol. 46 No. 8 August 31, 2021

Upon Further Reflection

Work, Rest, and Continued Goodbyes I just returned from a fabulous vacation that covered three Sundays in a row. I can’t express how grateful I am to be with a congregation and staff that can so capably carry on without me for an extended stretch like that. The first seven months of 2021 were not the smoothest ride so (like everyone else!) I was in need of a good rest. Finding our rhythm between work and rest is an essential part of being human that goes all the way back to the creation story where God’s own activity in creation is balanced by a time of rest. We humans are invited to share in this pattern of life. I came back from my vacation feeling like myself for the first time all year. I hope to hang on to that sense of centeredness and energy for a long time as I share in God’s work alongside each one of you. Bookending this nearly three-week period away were two difficult goodbyes in the form of memorial services for Karen Curry at the end of July and Elsie Williams at the end of August. Today as I made my way into the church office I thought of these amazing women and the difficulty of losing people we love. I thought, “It would really be nice if we didn’t have to do this so often.” But the reality is that our congregation is in a stage of life where we will continue to have to release our sisters and brothers into God’s care. These losses will come through both unexpected and more easily anticipated circumstances. How do we carry on in the midst of such difficult and continued loss? The way of Jesus points us toward a life that is not afraid of death and loss. Jesus taught and lived in a way that pointed to God’s love and presence (and even joy) while interacting with the most difficult realities of human experience. Sometimes this resulted in miraculous healing, and other times it led to perseverance, patience, and trust that God is with us in both this life and the next. In this biggest frame of life, then, we must also embrace the pattern of work and rest. A community that is able to offer grief, support, laughter, rest, renewal and hope to one another through anything that life sends our way is one that demonstrates the life of God’s Kingdom here on earth. When we share this way of life with one another and with our neighbors we are able to both receive and offer the hospitality of Christ. I’m glad to be on the journey with you. Pastor Matt Johnson

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Sunday Information

Adult Education Class to Resume on Zoom

The Adult Education program will resume on September 12th, the Sunday after Labor Day, with a series that has been postponed a couple of times because of the pandemic, on a favorite book, chapter, or passage from the Old Testament. The series will open with a discussion of the Book of Ruth, led by Markita Price. The current plan is to offer classes on Zoom, which worked well last year, but to start them a little earlier, 9:00 am, so as to allow time for driving to in-person worship at church (or a second cup of coffee). So get started reading the Book of Ruth and join us on Zoom at 9:00 am on Sunday September 12th! The Zoom link will be available in the FPC Weekly E-News.

Guidelines as of 8/30/2021

Here is what you can expect: Enter the Building: Doors will open at 10am. We ask that you enter the building through the labyrinth entrance (facing 1

st St & Cowles St) or the office ramp entrance (facing 1

st St & Davis St).

You will be welcomed in by a greeter. Please have your temperature taken, use the provided hand sanitizer, and sign-in—this serves as our attendance and will be used if we need to contact trace. Masks are required to be worn in the building. Entering the Sanctuary: You will be greeted by an usher. In lieu of bulletins, hymnals, & Bibles, you can find all worship elements on the worship screen. Children are encouraged to pick up a Children’s Worship Bag at the entrance to the Sanctuary. This bag will be their own bag each week when they attend worship. If our Sanctuary fills up, we will have overflow seating in the Henderson Room. Participating in Worship: When greeting each other to extend the Peace of Christ you are asked to greet others by staying in place. We encourage you to cross your arms over your chest then extend your arms out while saying “Peace be with you” and responding “and also with you”. Additionally, our songs will be led by the music leaders while the congregation reflectively listens. Then we invite the congregation to join in singing—while still masked—for our Congregational Song towards the end of worship. Leaving Worship: We ask that you be mindful of others. Make sure you don’t cluster together when exiting into the aisles. Additionally, we invite you to step outside to fellowship in the labyrinth. As you leave the sanctuary you will find a marked basket to leave your offering at the top of the stairs/ramp. Worshiping Virtually: If you would like to join us virtually for worship you have two options. First, you can join us in real time via livestream that can be found on our church website (fpc-mac.org). Second, the worship service will be posted to YouTube each Sunday afternoon following worship. As we outline what to expect, know that this is an ever-moving target. We are closely monitoring OHA guidelines and mindfully making adjustments along the way.

Communion Sundays September 5th & 19th

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Ongoing Activities

Weekly Bible Study on Zoom Wednesdays at 10:00 am

A weekly Bible study, led by Pastor Matt, on the scripture reading for the following Sunday will begin meeting again on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am on Zoom September 8th. The link for the meeting can be found in the FPC Weekly E-News email.

Social Justice Book Club

As fall arrives, we are also excited for our next read, Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson. This book examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. Beyond race, class, or other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and the nation’s fate. I look forward to reading and discussing this book with you. We will gather to discuss on Tuesday, October 19th at 4pm on Zoom. Contact Kate for more information or the link to join the discussion.

Do you have projects that just don’t get completed? Do you have magazines or newspapers that you can’t find time to read? Are you in the mood to start a new endeavor but don’t want to mess up your house?

Creative Expressions is a time that is set aside each month for you to work on any project you wish. We meet on the 1st Friday of each month from 4-8pm. We meet next on September 3rd.

Bring a brown bag dinner and drink if you like.

Presbyterian

Harvest Sale

Agape Circle

Will not meet in September

Priscilla Circle September 27th 7:00 pm

Hostess: Monika Chroust-Masin Lesson #1: Cathy Stephens

Sarah Circle September 8th 5:30 pm

Member’s home

PW Bible Study Books

The study books are now available in the church office. Cost is $10.

The Harvest Sale plans are currently on hold due to the pandemic. If you are busy crafting, please continue. If you are running out of storage space for sale items, plans are in the works to provide space at the church. Stay tuned for more information.

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Calendar

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Information

Medical Equipment Supplies

Did you know that we have a collection of medical supplies at the church? These items have been donated and are available for you to borrow in your time of need. You don't need to pay for temporarily needed equipment when you can borrow them from the church for free. Just give the church office a call.

Medical equipment supplies available: Wheelchairs Walkers Bed Guard Knee Walker Commodes Elevated Toilet Sears Bath Chairs Canes Crutches Misc. Items

We have several sizes & styles to choose from. Please feel free to take advantage of what is available to you.

BEYOND BACKPACKS is a mission to provide school supplies to students in need in our community. We collected $1,986.24 in cash donations and school supplies were donated by the children at Vacation Bible School. Thank you to all who contributed!

Pilgrimage Opportunity

“Where God’s Story Meets Our Story” is the theme of an international study pilgrimage of the Holy Land and the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, led by Brian Heron, Presbyter for Vision and Mission, and pastors Steve Knox and Tim Cayton, next May 14-25, 2022 that explores how Jesus’ story informs our story.

The group has 32 reserved tickets but 21 of them have already been taken by Disciples of Christ and Presbyterians from around Oregon. However, interested persons can put a ‘hold’ on any of the remaining tickets to guarantee a place with payment due only when international travel is reopened, and the trip confirmed. For a brochure or more information contact Brian Heron at brian@potc.life or at 541-465-9173.

New Church Website Same Address (fpc-mac.org)

New Look If you haven’t already, please go to our website and check out our new look. We are asking that groups look at their webpage and contact Nancy in the church office with any changes/updates or suggestions.

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Creative Arts Team

Little Free Library One of the aspects of returning to normal, is supporting our Little Free Library in the courtyard. We could use some donated books. Just put a note on the books indicating they are for the Little Free Library, and leave them inside either entry door to the church during open hours. Thanks for supporting our Little Free Library!

ISOLATION CREATIONS - In the Time of Covid

How does the Creative Spirit manifest itself through you?

The Creative Arts Team wants to know! During the pandemic shut down what creative endeavors did you pursue? Did you write poetry? Did you paint pictures? Did you organize your closets? Did you perfect your sourdough recipes? Did you craft items of wood? Did you advance your musical skills? Did you practice a new language? Did you assemble jigsaw puzzles? Did you sew, knit, crochet, quilt? —-You get the idea. . .creativity comes in many forms and we want to showcase the congregation’s creativity with a visual documentation on the Annex Gallery Wall.

Start thinking about how you can visually document the Creative Spirit in you: Take and frame a photo of your best sour-dough loaf, or frame your original prose, mat and frame your drawing, etc. Bring submissions to the church by Sunday, October 3rd. The proposed opening date for the first Annex Gallery Show is Sunday, October 10th.

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All in the Family continued

September Prayer Calendar

"Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

Please lift each household name or group listed below in prayer on that day of the month.

1. Janet Oswalt 2. Susan Parish 3. Liz Parker 4. Bob & Ardeth Parry 5. Zoe Pearson 6. Carla Peterson 7. Dave & Gudie Pfendler 8. Anthony Pratt & Kirsten Lund 9. Markita Price 10. Earth Care Retreat 11. Community Dinner 12. Steve Priebe 13. Gay & Barb Pudlitzke 14. Deacons 15. Session 16. Duane & Carol Qualey 17. Marlene Radasch 18. Linda Ragland 19. Donna Reynolds 20. Jim Rogers 21. Astuti Rossner 22. Chuck Ruebel 23. Arden & Faythe Rust 24. Charlie & Shirley Saderholm 25. Bob Sagers 26. John & Wendy Sagers 27. Thomas Sagers 28. Kate Satterstrom 29. Lou Savage & Cheryl Seagren 30. Hans & Adrienne Schouten

September

Neil Slater 1st Teagan Sterling 1st Charlie Saderholm 2nd Eileen Slater 2nd David Staneck 2nd Barb Pudlitzke 5th Nancy Barker 6th Jim Black 6th

Chad Mellinger 12th Dave Pfendler 13th Luella Fritz 14th Cheryl Seagren 14th Becky Badley 15th Jordaen Hendrix 17th Dave Sears 17th Zoe Pearson 18th Wendy Sagers 18th Steve Larson 21st Nathan Clevenger 22nd John Wallick 26th Gus Brunner 27th Shawna McRae 27th

Office Closed

The office will be closed on Monday, September 6th for

Labor Day.

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Nuts & Bolts

Session Highlights

Action taken and information items are summarized for the Portfolio monthly. Here are highlights from the August 25th meeting: 1) Discussed the final chapters of “Abundant

Community.” A lot of non traditional ways of looking at what makes up community that may not apply to FPC McMinnville but very thought provoking.

2) MSP - to approve B & G request to spend $8,793.00 to convert lights to LED’s in the Fellowship Hall, Calvin East, Calvin West, Labyrinth Entrance and Sanctuary.

3) MSP - to approve B & G request to spend up to $5,100.00 to resolve AC issues pend-ing final bids and additional assessment of options.

4) Reviewed current COVID practices for worship and determined we are meeting OHA recommendations. Session will continue to monitor updates as available.

5) Personnel is still seeking qualified applicants for the Director of Music position,

Out of the Office

Pastor Matt will be on vacation Monday, September 13th and Thursday, September 16th.

Nancy will be on vacation Thursday, September 30th

through Sunday, October 10th

Our church family extends our deepest sympathy to the family of

Elsie Williams

Elsie passed away on August 12, 2021 at the age of 89. She was serving as a Deacon and

chair of the Harvest Sale Committee.

May God grant comfort and peace to her loved ones.

I would like to thank the People of First Presbyterian Church so much for everything you did to help me and my family over the past few months. I’m not sure where to start but everyone who prayed for us, contributed meals, helped set up/clean up the memorial service, attended the service, and so many other things to help our family during a very difficult time. We wish to express our gratitude. I know things will still be very difficult for a long time, but the thoughts and prayers of all were and still are very much appreciated. Mike & the Curry family

FINANCIAL REPORT (Operating Fund)

July: Actual Budget Receipts: $ 27,579 7.7% $ 29,791 8.3% Expenses: 29,001 7.4% 32,617 8.3% Year to Date: Receipts: $ 197,428 55.2% $ 208,423 53.0% Expenses: 207,273 53.0% 228,189 53.0% Receipts were slightly under budget for the month and expenses well below budget. We added slightly to the YTD deficit.

Thank you for your continued support.

All in the Family

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Mission

Fair Trade Cart is Back!

Is your guilty pleasure Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? The Fair Trade cart will be fully stocked and able to satisfy your needs. The cart will be open the 2nd and 4th Sundays following the worship service.

Most coffee is $7.50 per bag, although some blends are $7.00 (Breakfast Blend, Café Salvador) or $8.50 (Decaf, Sisters). All tea is $3.50 per box and chocolate is $3.00 per bar.

We keep the prices close to our cost, with any profits donated to the Small Farmers Fund.

Most recently, PDA is responding to the devastating 7.2 magnitude that struck Haiti the morning of August 14, 2021 that has resulted in the loss of more than 1,200 lives. Working closely with Presby-terian World Mission, our traditional partners on the ground and ACT Alliance, PDA is responding to emergency needs such as WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), emergency power generators, shelter, food, first aid and more. We remain committed to the long-term recovery. (OG100000-Haiti.)

Tropical Depression Fred resulted in floods and flash flooding in North Carolina. At least five fatalities have been confirmed. PDA is working with Presbyterian leadership on the ground as they assess the needs. We will provide grant(s) to meet emergency needs and into the long-term recovery phase. (DR000191)

PDA is responding to Hurricane Ida. With widespread power outages at this time, information is coming in slowly. We will update as more information becomes available. (DR000169)

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

PDA is responding all around the world. Listed here are just a few. You can give to “FPC” and note for Disaster Relief or designate to a specific disaster response by listing the (code).

As wildfires roar in the Pacific Northwest, PDA is in communication with the Presbytery of the Cascades. A National Response Team member has been virtually deployed to assist the presbytery. More information will be available as first responders work to contain the fires. We are also respond-ing in California. (DR000165)

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Earth Care Corner

Gardners, Share Your Success! Have you pickled, canned, or frozen those wonderful vegetables and fruits and you still have more? Here is your chance to share the bounty. Every Sunday in September, the Earth Care Committee will have a table in the Gallery for produce and flowers. Bring your clean produce, ready to give away, and put it on the table in the Gallery.

Shoppers Be Ready You may pick from the produce, things you would like to take home. We will have a donation basket. The donation money will go toward a scholarship to send a youth or adult from our congregation to the Presbyterians for Earth Care bi-annual conference in New York.

Earth Care Retreat

The Earth Care Retreat is happening on Friday and Saturday, September 10th & 11th at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, OR overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. A beautiful spot to rest and reflect. Please be in prayer for those attending, for safe travel and a restorative time away. We look forward to hearing about their experience.

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Children, Youth, & Family