If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
Sunday: Charge Conference, *not* Re-Imagining
Two reminders…
Our Re-Imagining session on worship, scheduled for this Sunday, will be rescheduled, due to…
Our annual Charge Conference will be this Sunday, November 22, at 10:45 am. Tim Overton-Harris, the new District Superintendent, will be presiding.
Official church business will be covered, as well as a charge from Bishop Elaine Stanovsky to dismantle racism. If you plan to attend, be sure to read her address beforehand.
All are invited to attend; however, only members may vote.
Zoom Meeting ID 984 1514 1205, Passcode: 133007
DIY Advent Wreath
For Advent, we’d like to invite everyone to light an Advent candle in their homes each Sunday during worship. Here’s a link on how to make one at home from what you might already have on hand.
Advent begins on November 29. If you’re curious about the United Methodist tradition of the Advent wreath, read more here.
Thanksgiving Food Boxes
What a heart for others Westsiders have!
You have filled every slot of a very long signup for the Thanksgiving Food Boxes. 244 non-perishable items. That doesn’t even include turkeys, hams, ground beef, eggs, butter, produce, or pies.
Several local families and members of the Western Farm Workers Association will receive this food over the next few days. Not just a Thanksgiving feast, but also everyday staples for those who are struggling this year..
Thank you for your Random Acts of Kindness. Information on the December RAoK is coming soon.
Food Due this Saturday
Please remember to deliver your items for the Thanksgiving Food Boxes this Saturday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
There are still a few slots open at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BABAF22AB9-thanksgiving1
Cash is also appreciated for the purchase of turkeys, hams, and other perishable items. Cash donations can safely be made on our website. Please designate your gift for RAoK.
Thank you!
Sharing for Nov 15
Share where the Holy Spirit has been at work this week.
Kari & Francie – The Cell Tower sale.
Francie – Mortgage free, 15 years of prayers answered and money in our bank account. No more weird emails from lawyers to me. All good things. For those who haven’t heard, we closed the Cell Phone Tower deal – it is done – mortgage paid - a huge relief! Weird awesome accomplishment for our part.
Pastor Brett – For those of you who don’t know, Francie was instrumental in that process and she deserves almost 100% of the credit. I think it was 99.6% when I calculated it. Thank you Francie for your faithfulness to use your gifts for our community. We’re so grateful & we will celebrate! When the time comes, we will definitely get together and celebrate a new season & a new chapter for our church together! Yes, the Cell Phone Tower is sold; money is in the bank. Awesome.
Bonnie – As many of you know, my cousin died this week and in many conversations with his family this week they’ve continually said that God was present with them throughout the whole ordeal. Even in the final arrangements. They thanked everyone that I had on my prayer list that was praying for them and they felt like all of the prayers were holding them up; God was definitely with them the whole way.
Pastor Brett – Bonnie, I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad that the prayers that our community made on their behalf...that they could feel them.
Michele – My God Sighting this week is that the Blazers are going to start playing again in December! A little normalcy, yes!
Dianne – My God Sighting actually happened all week long because, I was just praising God and asking Him to come into my heart. Friday when we had a Bible Study with Debbie Gabel and all the girls – there were 10 of us on Zoom with only 1 missing! 10 out of 11 - that was amazing to me. The other thing was it was on the Holy Spirit. I have a couple of books I read about the Holy Spirit being within us. How Jesus came and said he would send someone else to live inside us. He has been lifting me up every day, thank God; I got this really beautiful little bracelet with crosses on it from Jan that a lady in her church made her. I told her that I loved it and she said – here now we are sisters, put it on. That just filled my heart with joy. And my son, who I haven’t seen in almost 2 years, he’s coming at the end of the month to see me. I’m so happy; I bless God for everything that He’s given me. He blesses me and the Holy Spirit inside me is bursting with joy right now! I love all of you; it’s so good to have the tower sold; everything happening this week is just tremendous. We have to continue loving each other and supporting each other through these times, because it’s not 2021 yet but, it’s coming! I feel this next year is going to be tremendous for all of us. Thank you & God Bless you all.
Wendy F. – Sawyer had his 18th Birthday yesterday! Thanks to all of you who helped him celebrate it in various ways. We had to make the tough call. We were going to do a socially distanced outdoor gathering for him; midway during the week as the numbers went up (Covid) we talked with him and he actually made the call to convert it to virtual – even though it was just going to be like 2 or 3 friends. So, I was super proud of him to make that call because I know he was really bummed out to do that. But more friends were able to join because it was virtual. So, I think that’s a God involved in helping influence us make good decisions regardless; a little bonus that more friends could be with him. So, it was a really lovely celebration.
Martha – Wendy, I can totally understand that. Yesterday was Ada’s 4th Birthday; we were going to celebrate her Birthday and my Birthday together at her house. And God kept talking to me and saying honor, honor the governor and stay home; don’t push things… I have been thinking a lot about sacrifices this week…The sacrifice that I won’t be able to hug & kiss her on her 4th Birthday. The sacrifice that my daughter is preaching today in Illinois and I’m not going to be able to hear it in person. But then with all those sacrifices comes the thought that good things happen; that they are still doing those things. Ada will still celebrate today with her parents and other grandparents; my daughter will give a fabulous sermon. So, you know life is life and we get through it. But Happy Birthday to him – November’s a good month to be born in...
Pastor Brett – It’s Martha’s Birthday today – she said that the 2 digits add up to 13.
Neil – We are embracing the idea of a smaller more immediate family focused holiday(s). We have ability to see and talk to everyone remotely, but we are looking forward to spending quality time with just us without getting lost in the larger family gatherings.
Worship Video for November 15
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
Charge Conference
Our annual Charge Conference will be on Sunday, November 22, at 10:45 am. Tim Overton-Harris, the new District Superintendent, will be presiding.
Official church business will be covered, as well as a charge from Bishop Elaine Stanovsky to dismantle racism. If you plan to attend, be sure to read her address beforehand.
All are invited to attend; however, only members may vote.
Zoom Meeting ID 984 1514 1205, Passcode: 133007
WFWA Update
Volunteers at WFWA this summer
A letter from Merry Goldthorpe, our ambassador to WFWA:
Dear Westsiders,
Volunteers have been making a difference in the lives of Farm Workers and other low-income families in Washington county. Seasonal work at this time of year drops off to Christmas tree harvest and wreath making jobs. The pandemic has affected all types of restaurant and janitorial work. Without a lunch provided at school, families now have more expenses.
Our volunteers seek out donors, sort, package, and deliver food boxes each month to our members. We will be delivering food boxes for Thanksgiving on Tuesday November 24th. Each team of volunteers will have their car loaded with food, and given a list of addresses and complete, no-contact, instructions. The fellowship hall where the food is packed has a limit of the number of people that can be there, so sign ups for packers are required. If you would like to help or donate, please call the Western Farm Workers office at 503-681-9399.
We are planning our Christmas holiday food distribution and gifts for children. Unfortunately, our annual party, with dinner, live music, kids' crafts room, and even a quick stop for a photo with Santa, will not be happening this year. It is one of the best parties of the year! So, we will do our best and try to share some joy. We are looking for (new) fleece blankets for gifts. More news about this opportunity will be coming soon.
One of the first Thanksgiving distributions I helped with, the mother answered the door and invited me in. The family was dressed in winter coats and I could see my breath inside the house. They were just not able to afford to heat their home. Other years, there is a second family renting the garage. Some homes have a family living in each room, which is not visible to you, the driver. Count your blessings this year.
And give as you are able, by calling the number above or through Westside’s signup (the beans, rice, and oil are specifically for the WFWA.) Thank you.
Merry Goldthorpe
Thanksgiving Food Boxes Sign-up
Westsiders, share this opportunity with your Facebook or Twitter friends by clicking on the icons below. You never know who may be looking for a way to help.
For November, our Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) mission is providing food boxes for Thanksgiving.
There are currently eight families on our list but that number could increase. We are also collecting for the Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA), whose members are facing very difficult times. WFWA is an all-volunteer organization of low-income farm and seasonal workers.
You may sign up to bring Thanksgiving items or everyday staples at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BABAF22AB9-thanksgiving1
Drop-off your donations at Westside UMC, 13420 SW Butner Rd, Beaverton, on Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Cash donations for perishable items (turkeys, hams, dairy, produce) can safely be made on our website. Please designate your gift for RAoK.
Thank you!
Sharing for Nov 8
Building a Bridge this week to someone who is different from you….Or share where the Holy Spirit has been at work this week.
"God has spoken to mankind in many languages: through Judaism to the Jews, Christianity to Christians, Islam to Muslims. ... God is the god of all humanity, but no single faith is or should be the faith of all humanity." —Rabbi Jonathon Sacks, 1948-2020
Sally – The neighbor who lives across the street from us is Muslim. His name is Bashar. I can’t say specifically that we reached out to him this week. However, over the course of a couple of years he and Dave have had this Bromance going on – I love you brother, I love you man…..You know when Dave had all his heart issues and things he would say – Sally, I pray for you & Dave every night. My God listens…I am here for you at 2 in the morning…you come and knock on my door, I am here for you. So, last night at about 9 pm there’s a knock on our door and Dave puts his mask on and says – who’s here? And it’s Bashar bringing us persimmons, pomegranates and oranges. He just loves Dave and he cooks and will just knock on the door and deliver food & says – this is for David. I’m okay, I’m kind of chopped liver, but Dave is the man! So, it’s just kind of fun, because he has such a strong faith. He swears like a soldier but he’s just this man that wears his heart on his sleeve and just a really wonderful human. Of a different faith, but his God is God.
Janelle – I held that challenge close to me, when my Dad spontaneously chose to come to town and be here for election day. Which initially, & obviously brings up a lot of differences between us. So, I just held that with me – of pressing close and hanging out a little bit more trying to ask him a little more questions about himself, not about politics, but about himself. In that day particularly, when I felt myself wanting to make more distance and not go there; not go anywhere vulnerable, because I was afraid of where we may go and ending up in a big fight. It went well and he was a little more vulnerable. So, it was great.
Pastor Brett – I reached out to a couple of family members as well and told them I loved them, was thinking about them on Sunday & Monday. I actually was able to facetime both of them yesterday so, it was real nice and encouraging to make that connection and keep that bridge built.
Bonnie – Wednesdays & Thursdays I help at the Aloha Church of God Pantry. We deal with all kinds of people – Muslims, Hispanics, Chinese, Vietnamese; I could go on & on. Through masks it’s hard communicating particularly when there’s an accent – v’s and b’s, d’s and c’s they all sound the same when trying to get their name and the spelling. The thing I come away with is the humility that people exhibit when they are asking for food. And we make sure to tell them that there are other pantries they can go to if they need more food. We explain to them that this pantry and all of the church pantries are there to help them. It’s amazing to me the number of people that are coming to a pantry for the first time. That this whole mess that we’re in is causing people to have a lack of food. So, I think the church pantries all over our state are helping these people and no matter what race or what... Everyone is created equal in the church’s eyes, church pantries and the people working there. It’s just a blessing to be able to help with that kind of thing.
Martha – Bonnie, thank you! I like that word, humility. I think that’s a lesson that I have learned this week. I was praying to God a lot before the election; then I suddenly realized that I wasn’t praying to him because of political reasons as much as I had faith in the person that I wanted to win. It’s kind of humbled me a little bit, because I remember how I felt four years ago & how I feel now. I had to step back and just humble myself a wee bit. And so, I like that word. Thanks Bonnie for reminding me of that this morning.
Francie – I want to say something similar that struck me. I think this advice (building a bridge) is even better now. Because, I’ve seen a lot of things on social media about people being so happy…but the same people are saying they will never forgive those people who still voted for Trump....I just shake my head and say – but, that doesn’t move us forward in love and acceptance...We do need to move forward as a country and forward as people…and it would be difficult for anybody. Man, we’re still in a world of hurt no matter who’s the President if we are mad at half the country. So, reaching out to people, forgiving and understanding is maybe more important today than it was on Monday or Tuesday or yesterday, if we really want change for a different world for us and our families.
YouTube Channels
Did you know that Westside worship services are available on YouTube? Catch up on a missed Sunday at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUwWdp9GZge9-Dp_3pQ3tfg/ You’re encouraged to subscribe - this will give us more capabilities on YouTube. Give a thumbs up and share with your friends!
But wait, there’s more! Our very own Westside Odd Band has their own channel, too! Anytime you need a little musical encouragement, head over to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTorobxVj9vkeWFGLNzw_Jw Subscribe today and never miss another song!
Many thanks to Rich H for making this all possible!
Worship with Us
We worship online every Sunday morning at 10:00 am “online and on lawn”.
Join us in person! We take precautions around children and those who can’t be vaccinated. Otherwise, we have returned to Christian fellowship with music and sharing.
To join us online, click here. You will be prompted to install the Webex application if you haven’t done so already. The link should go directly to the worship service at 10:00 am on Sunday. If the link doesn’t work for you, go to webex.com, click ‘Join’ and enter these details:
Meeting number (access code): 294 667 249
Meeting password: GodIsGood!
You may also join using a smartphone by calling 408-418-9388.
Remember to “mute” your audio when you’re not speaking, to cut down on background noise.
Catch up on previous worship services on our YouTube Channel. Music from the Westside Odd Band is available on this channel
Worship Video for November 8
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
Also available on the Westside YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUwWdp9GZge9-Dp_3pQ3tfg/
RAoK: Thanksgiving Food Boxes
For November, our Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) mission is providing food boxes for Thanksgiving.
There are currently eight families on our list but that number could increase. Please be as generous as you can.
Drop-off at the church on Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Cash donations for perishable items (protein, dairy, produce) can be made on our website. Please designate your gift for RAoK.
You may sign up to bring Thanksgiving items or everyday staples at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BABAF22AB9-thanksgiving1
Thank you!
DIY Advent Wreath
For Advent, we’d like to invite everyone to light an Advent candle in their homes each Sunday during worship. Here’s a link on how to make one at home from what you might already have on hand.
Advent begins on November 29. If you’re curious about the United Methodist tradition of the Advent wreath, read more here.
Advent Children's Series
We are offering an Advent story series for kids (aimed at ages 3-12) as a way to begin experimenting with how to help our kids encounter Jesus and engage with the meaningful seasons of the church. To learn more and sign-up your child, please complete the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZNZ3WZB
Re-Imagine Outreach Together
This Sunday at 10:30 am is the fourth in our series of reimagining Westside during and after COVID. All are welcome to participate!
Re-Imagine Outreach Together: Come learn more about the outreach ministries of Westside UMC and how we are adapting during COVID. Who are we becoming through our outreach? What are the themes of our outreach and who is God is calling us to be?
Re-Imagine Together Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/91376283930?pwd=a3BNcjFzN082SFhUem12czc4MW9JUT09
Meeting ID: 913 7628 3930
Passcode: reimagine
God Sightings and Saints for 11/1
Sharing where the Holy Spirit has been at work this week or who you are you remembering or celebrating on this All Saint’s Day.
Sally – Yesterday I had a wonderful walk with our son’s girlfriend. We walked through Laurelhurst Park and somehow we started talking about parents and grandparents. Just to be able to share stories with her about my mom and grandmother who lived with us. I shared poems that I’ve learned from them. She looked at me at one point and said – Does Dobb know all this? That’s my son. Does Christopher know everything that you just told me? I think sometimes we forget to even tell our own children about their ancestors who they never knew but, they only know them through your stories. So, it just made me realize how important it is for us to keep our grandparents & great grandparents alive in their world because, that’s their only connection to them... And me because of them. So, it was really wonderful.
Gerry – I am in Leadville, CO, remembering my wife, Sandy, with our daughter, Sarah. Sandy passed away 3 years ago last week.
Pastor Brett – Looking at her bench in the front yard of the church, Gerry. Lifting up a prayer for you and your family.
Martha – So glad you are with your daughter, Sara…thinking of you this month. Sandy was a wonderful woman…and she is dancing on the clouds with Mom.
Like Gerry, October is a hard month for us. We lost 2 Saints – Mom in 2017 and Dobb, my brother Don, in 2018. And in July of this year we lost my step sister. So, within 3 years we have lost 3 family members. So, All Saint’s Day really makes you value those that are still in your family. Because, we have lost 3. We still have a big family but, still not as big as it started out to be.
We did have a blessing our granddaughter, 3 year old Ada, came yesterday dressed as a beautiful witch. She came inside and was waving her arms just like Mom used to do. It was a remembrance that the Irish-Canadian-Scottish heritage is continuing on. You find laughter in grief and that’s important.
Kari – Remembering Joe’s Aunt, Sister Sharon, who passed last October and our friend, Kathie, who died about 2 weeks ago.
Remembering Sandy with you and Sara, Gerry! She was a Saint! And she is a Saint!
Carol – Celebrating the life of my Mom, Wilma Hamilton, who passed away 11/4/2015 at the age of 95. She was an excellent example of how to spread the love of Christ.
Wendy F. – My father in law, Bob Fedderly, turns 70 today, on the very All Hallows’ Day. And it makes me think about how it is very true when you marry someone, you marry their whole family and how blessed I am for the whole Fedderly family. I did not know what I was getting into and I just couldn’t be more thrilled 25-30 years later since I met them. It’s just a joy. I am broken hearted that I can’t be with him today but, just thrilled and blessed to be grounded in the gratefulness to have him in my life.
Our church gives me hope! No matter what happens this week, I know that church will happen on Sunday with all of you. I love this church, filled with kind people who are my extended family! Knowing that I will “see” you on Sunday gives me comfort and something wonderful that I can count on, no matter what else happens this week.
Stephanie – Remembering my sister, Haley, who went into the hospital 4 years ago on Thanksgiving Day and never came home.
I sat on Sandy’s bench this week…soaked up the warm sun and held Haley’s memory close. Such a special place.
Jan – I woke up this morning and that song, Bless The Lord O my soul…And the 1st verse of that says – The sun comes up, there’s a new day dawning…
And isn’t it a beautiful Sunday morning? God has given us such a beautiful sunny day to have communion and to remember Him! He’s so Good!
Worship Video for November 1
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::