Brian Shimer
Online Worship on Zoom
Brian Shimer
Zoom Begins this Sunday
Brian Shimer
Join Us for Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Worship On Sundays

Sign Up for Family Camp

The date has been set!

Family Camp will be Saturday to Sunday, September 27-28. The registration deadline is Sunday, August 24, so that we may calculate cost, organize cabins, and plan food. (Contact Sandy H directly if you need more time to register).

Register at https://westsidejourney.breezechms.com/form/d72f69 or on the signup sheet at church (you do not need to sign up on both.)

Funds have already been set aside to cover most of the expenses. The final cost to you (if there is any) will be available shortly after August 24 (and financial assistance will be available).

Honoring Gerry Edwards

A memorial service will be held for Gerry Edwards at Westside UMC tomorrow, August 2nd, at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would invite contributions to the new Gerald E. Edwards School of Biological Sciences Excellence Endowment at Washington State University. Those wishing to donate should contact Justin Smith at jnsmith@wsu.edu to make a contribution.

Vote for Family Camp Retreat Date

Photo credit: Troy Taylor

Westsiders, we’re planning a family weekend at Camp Magruder in Rockaway Beach. It will be Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

Will it be Sep 6-7 or Sep 27-28? The initial tally from last Sunday had a difference of only one vote! If you haven’t voted yet, be sure to do so this Sunday or if you’re out of town, you may email the church office at office@westsidejourney.org.

On the ballot, you may also indicate if you will need a ride or if you will have extra seats available to offer rides.

Funds have already been set aside to cover most of the expenses. The final cost to you will be available soon (and financial assistance will be available).

See you at camp!

Special Offering This Sunday

Join us this Sunday, Aug 3, when Josh Hobson will be our guest speaker. He has preached for us in the past before going to Portugal to open the Lado a Lado retreat center.

Lado a Lado’s mission is to walk alongside Christian workers with authenticity and compassion, providing a safe space with opportunities for rest, growth, care in community, and reconnection with God.

Our special offering this Sunday will go to the Lado a Lado ministry.

Prayer Box

Be sure to check out the new community Prayer Box and Little Library on campus.

It offers prayer request cards, in several languages, as well as books.

When a prayer request is received, prayers will be offered up by one or more of the congregations using the building.

Thanks to all the people who made this vision become a reality!

Josh Hobson to Preach

Join us on Sunday, Aug 3, when Josh Hobson will be our guest speaker. He has preached for us in the past before going to Portugal to open the Lado a Lado retreat center.

Lado a Lado’s mission is to walk alongside Christian workers with authenticity and compassion, providing a safe space with opportunities for rest, growth, care in community, and reconnection with God.

Lado a Lado cares for Christian workers and their families. They have the same daily issues we all face like work stress or relationship problems. Some may also experience additional challenges like depression, burnout, or addiction. Cross-cultural workers in particular can struggle with adapting, learning a new language, and feelings of separation and loss, while pastors and leaders can feel especially isolated because of their position. Unfortunately, Christian workers don’t always have access to the resources needed to address these concerns. Unable to get help, they may become discouraged, indifferent, detached, or less effective in their work. When the problems persist, many leave the ministry, engage in self harm, or even attempt suicide. We believe that some of this can be prevented.

Through hospitality, training, and a variety of direct care services, we offer support to Christian workers throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Our location allows guests to come receive care without having to return to their sending countries. During their stay, space for rest and reflection is provided, giving time to study God’s word and pray together, sharing meals and listening to each other's stories. Singles, couples, and families from various denominations and organizations are welcome.

Family Camp Retreat

Photo credit: Troy Taylor

Westsiders, we’re planning a family weekend at Camp Magruder in Rockaway Beach. It will be Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

We want as many people to attend as possible! So please let us know your preference - Sep 6-7 or Sep 27-28? There will be voting ballots available at church for the next two Sundays. If you’re out of town, you may email the church office at office@westsidejourney.org.

On the ballot, you may also indicate if you will need a ride or if you will have extra seats available to offer rides.

Funds have already been set aside to cover some of the expenses. The final cost to you will be available soon. The regular fee is $68 per adult, $58 per youth, and children under 5 are free. If you are able to contribute more to assist others, please let Sandy or Carolyn know.

See you at camp!

Speak with Grace

People tend to rush to respond in a conversation. Turns of conversation (defined as a change of speaker) internationally is timed at around a 20th of a second. That’s not much time to consider the message of the speaker.

Today’s divided culture longs for people who can speak with grace. People seem to have lost the ability to listen to one another. Unfortunately, many people have confused disagreement with oppression and hatred.

What if we understood how to listen deeply enough?
What if—when asked—we could respond by speaking with such grace that we could be heard?

This is an open invitation to a workshop sponsored by the Board of Lay Ministry that follows our new call to “Listen with Love, Speak with Grace, and Act for Justice.”  This free workshop, “Speak with Grace,” will be held online on Tuesday, August 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Click here to register for the “Speak with Grace” Zoom workshop.

The registration deadline is July 31. A participation link will be emailed to you the week before the event.

EarthKeepers

Are you passionate about caring for the environment and looking for a way to connect your faith with action? The United Methodist EarthKeepers program offers training for individuals ready to launch or grow environmental projects in their communities.

The next in-person training will be held October 2–5, 2025, in Des Moines, Washington. Lodging and vegetarian meals are provided by Global Ministries, and a field trip to Vashon Island UMC is included. Applications are due by August 21, 2025.

Learn more and apply at umcmission.org/earthkeepers

Change for Change

Every Sunday, we collect coins and small bills to help support a need, local or global.

The money collected in July through December of 2025 will go to the Circle of Indigenous Ministries, a ministry of the Greater Northwest Area of the UMC.

Bonnie B heard Rev Dr Allen Buck, the director of The Circle, speak recently at Annual Conference. The Circle’s mission is developing mutual, healing, and life-affirming relationships with Native Americans and Indigenous peoples in and outside the church. The Circle supports Native American and Indigenous churches, fellowships, and ministry partners through resourcing, coaching, consultation, and friendship in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences.

Rev Buck is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the pastor of Great Spirit United Methodist Church in Portland.

You can learn more at https://www.umoi.org/newsdetail/15256804

Hagg Lake this Sunday!

This Sunday, July 13, is our annual worship service at the lake! Service begins at 11:00 am to give you time to drive out to the Sain Creek Pavilion at Henry Hagg Lake.

The events team will provide hot dogs for lunch. Remember to RSVP - so that there is plenty of food - at https://westsidejourney.breezechms.com/form/HaggLunch2478.

If you’re grocery shopping for Sunday, please consider buying and bringing cookies for Monday’s HomePlate dinner as well. Thanks!

RSVP for Hagg Lake

On Sunday, July 13, we’ll have our annual worship service at the lake! Service begins at 11:00 am to give you time to drive out to the Sain Creek Pavilion at Henry Hagg Lake.

The events team will provide hot dogs for lunch. Please remember to RSVP so that there is plenty of food. RSVP at https://westsidejourney.breezechms.com/form/HaggLunch2478.

Email the church office at office@westsidejourney.org if you would like to be baptized (or renew your baptism).