Church News from the Spire Read current and previous issues General | Session Matters Women's Activities | Men's Activities | Youth Activities | Parish Life Christian Education | Outreach | Health Ministries | Stewardship | Mission History | Special Menucha Events | Music and Arts | Presbytery and Denomination General Session calls Dr. J. Thomas Green as Interim Pastor At a called meeting of Session on Sunday, May 6, and on the unanimous recommendation of the Interim Hiring Committee, the Session voted to call the Reverend Dr. J. Thomas Green as Interim Pastor. Tom has graciously accepted the offer and will begin his work among us on June 29 and participate in worship for the first time on Sunday, July 1. Tom was born and raised in Ohio. He graduated from Ohio Northern University and Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey, and received his D.Min. from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Tom comes to us with 26 years experience in transition ministries in six different states. Tom currently serves on the board of trustees of the Interim Ministry Network, the ecumenical organization of some 50 North American denominations utilizing transition pastors. He is the Lead Faculty teacher in the Synod of the Sun at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and in the Synod of Alaska-Northwest. Tom and his wife Pat live in Oro Valley, Arizona, a suburb of Tucson. He enjoys woodworking, refinishing antiques, caning chairs, and counted cross-stitch. Pat has a background in education and is editor of the Spectrum, a photochemical science journal. She loves working at Williams-Sonoma, a kitchen store, and is an avid reader of mystery novels. They share a passion for cooking and enjoy trying new dishes and experimenting with ingredients. In true Arizona fashion, they are trying to learn to golf together and make it fun! They have four children and five grandchildren, and are quoted as saying, "The best behaved of our children is Sam, our eleven-year-old Golden Retriever!" Session calls meeting of the Congregation The Session of First Presbyterian Church has called for a Special Meeting of the Congregation of the Church on Sunday, June 1, 2008, immediately following worship, in the sanctuary, for the following purposes: To concur with The Reverend Anne Stewart Miller's request of The Cascades Presbytery to dissolve the Associate Pastor relationship with First Presbyterian Church so that The Reverend Anne Stewart Miller can accept the invitation of the session of the Montauk Community Presbyterian Church, Long Island Presbytery, to become the Interim Pastor. To concur with The Reverend Dr. Thomas C. Nolen's request of The Cascades Presbytery to dissolve the Associate Pastor relationship with First Presbyterian Church so that The Reverend Dr. Nolen can accept the invitation of Kaiser Permanente Hospitals to become Hospice Chaplain in greater Portland. To concur with the session's request of The Cascades Presbytery to concur with the closure of one of the two Associate Pastor positions. Pentecost Offering on May 11 The Pentecost Offering is one of our denomination's four annual offerings. The offering is received during worship on the Day of Pentecost, May 11. It provides a direct way to meet the needs of children at risk, youth and young adults. The General Assembly's portion (60% of the total offering) provides leadership development opportunities for Presbyterian youth and young adults and supports children-at-risk programs at the national level. Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised over $7 million for these critical ministries. Many different programs are supported by this portion of the offering: The Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) program (for young adults 19-30 years of age) receives 25% of the offering. YAV participants serve communities in need all over the world, from Alaska to Ghana; from San Antonio to Belfast, Northern Ireland; from Atlanta to Kenya; and from Hollywood, California, to South India. Another 25% of the offering supports ministries with youth and young adults, providing Web-based study curriculum and on-line devotions; national youth events such as this year's "Faith in 3D," week-long opportunities for outreach and reflection (DOOR), and now a special Presbyterian Disaster Assistance village on the gulf coast for youth 16-18. The final 10% of the national offering benefits Child Advocacy Ministries such as facilitating the work related to the "Decade of the Child," a denomination-wide initiative for the years 2001-2011 benefiting children. The remaining 40% of the Pentecost Offering is kept by congregations for use on behalf of local children and youth at risk. Session has approved Outside In, an agency providing services to homeless youth, as the recipient of our 2008 portion. Meeting our community’s changing and growing needs, Outside In provides a day program for safety, food, crisis counseling and life-skills training to promote alternatives to street life. Other programs include the Employment Resource Center to equip youth to enter the work force as well as obtain their GED and enter college; Transitional Housing as youth work on educational and career goals; a Medical Clinic to provide health care to homeless and low-income youth lacking health insurance; and the Virginia Woof Dog Daycare on Burnside Avenue, the first dog daycare center in the country to be used as a job training program. Please come on the Day of Pentecost prepared to give generously to these ministries that benefit the younger members of God’s family. Garage parking validations The Garage Committee has received several questions recently concerning our current Session approved policy on parking validation in the garage. This policy allows church members, and other persons who are present at FPC for church sponsored activities, to have their tickets validated by church office staff, and thus to receive free parking in the garage. The most frequently asked question is, does the church have to pay anyone for this privilege? The answer is no. No money is paid out of church funds to our management company, City Center Parking, for these parking spaces. City Center Parking does keep detailed records of all parkers, both paying and validated, and sends us a monthly statement showing numbers in both classes. The validations show up on these statements as an offset to revenue the church would otherwise receive, and as a proportion of overall garage usage. The only potential cost to the Church might occur when validated FPC parkers are occupying slots during times when the lot is full, and possible paying customers can't enter the garage and must park somewhere else. This would be "foregone revenue," i.e. money FPC doesn't receive. Our recent experience shows that this might sometimes happen on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, regular business days when there are also scheduled events at FPC. But our review of the daily City Center reports also shows that this isn't a real current problem – there isn’t any drop off in our parking revenues on those days as compared with other business weekdays. Your Garage Committee therefore supports the current parking validation policy. The primary purpose of the garage (which could not have been built without the wide support of our church membership) is to provide safe, accessible parking for FPC and its activities throughout the week. However, anyone who wishes to assist in maximizing the Church's revenues from the garage has a simple option: by all means park in the garage, just don't have your ticket validated, and pay the regular rate as you leave. It's a simple way of making a contribution (though not a tax deductible one) to First Presbyterian Church. We thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Garage Committee, Ann Bartsch, Chair Access to church building from the garage: Direct access to the sanctuary for worship and other church events is via the elevator. Around the corner from the garage attendant’s kiosk is a back entrance to Geneva Hall. The inside door is controlled from the office (video and lock release). Use the buzzer button to request entry. The two stairwells both exit to the plaza; through the west gate from the plaza you can get to the church business entrance on 13th Avenue. FPC Parking Garage Factoid Parking garage hours of operation and rates Sundays, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (FPC users only on Sundays; no tickets issued). Mon.-Wed. 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Thurs. 7:30 a.m.-midnight, Fri. 7:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Rates for paying parkers: $3.00/hour; $8.95 daily maximum rate; $3.00 after 5 p.m. for evening parking. Parking to attend worship is free and requires no validation. For other scheduled events or activities in the church and appointments with church staff in the building parking is free by validation. Get your ticket validated by ink stamp in the glass office. Sanctuary flowers Would you like to purchase flowers to adorn the sanctuary during worship in honor or in memory of your loved ones? There currently are a few available spaces on the 2008 calendar. If you are interested in honoring your loved ones, please contact Shannon Perez in the church office. Subscribe to the eSpire! The FPC eSpire is a brief weekly email with information about upcoming worship opportunities, programs, events, and news of the church community. Everyone is welcome to subscribe. You may subscribe by contacting Shannon in the church office or by calling her at 503-228-7331. Building access You're running late for a meeting at the church. You arrive and find the door locked and no one is seated at the front desk. What do you do? Call our new facility cell phone, 503-729-2396, and the sexton on duty will come and let you in. Evening sextons leave the front desk area 30 minutes after the last scheduled meeting starts. If you know you are going to arrive later than that, you may call ahead and let the sexton know your approximate arrival time. Help us keep our records current Have you moved recently, or are you planning a move in the near future? Do you have a new email address? Have you changed any of your phone numbers? Please be sure to notify the church office of any changes so we can keep our records up to date! Session Matters (more information) Session requests names for the Pastor Nominating Committee The process for selecting and calling a Pastor is in the final stages. Although it may not be apparent to the majority of our congregation, much work has been done in preparation for this important event. The last stage of the process is creating a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC), a committee of the Congregation, which will do the work of selecting a candidate to present to the Congregation for approval to serve as our Pastor. The session has asked the Congregation Nominating Committee (CNC) to create a list of names that the session will use in selecting a slate of candidates to be voted on by the Congregation. The Congregational meeting to elect the members of the PNC is scheduled for the middle of June (a specific date has not yet been selected). The members of the PNC shall be "representative of the whole congregation." The members shall be regular participants in the work of our Church, and shall have made a financial pledge to support the Church. The CNC needs your help in this process by submitting names of those you think would be good candidates for this important committee. Please keep in mind the need for people who represent our diversity. Service on this committee will be intense for a minimum of six months. The commitment always proves rewarding to those who serve. Look for nomination forms in the Sunday worship bulletin, or just jot a name on a piece of paper and take or mail it to the Church. The CNC has a slot which will act as the collection box for names. It would be helpful if you would discuss with the person their willingness to serve. Thank you for your continued support of First Presbyterian Church and of the work of the Session and others who are guiding us in the selection process. Mini Self-Study Following the Session Retreat on February 1-3, the Session is undertaking a self-study in preparation for the work of the Pastor Nominating Committee in discerning the future direction of this church's mission, ministry, work, and worship. This mini self-study will serve as an element in the background homework in preparation for the next chapter in the life of FPC. All of that will need much prayer, discussion, and discernment before creating a profile for and beginning the search for the next installed pastor. There are five components or areas of homework in the self-study being worked on by the 24 members of Session: A Brief History—what has been our trajectory of ministry; Congregational Demographics and Description—a sociological profile of this church family; Biblical Images Describing FPC—what Biblical narratives connect us; Sketch of the Portland Community Context—successes and challenges in facing the community and this church; and Defining Core Values Driving—the principles, beliefs, and ideas drive our behavior and ministry. Drafts of these component topics will inform the second round of conversations over the weekend of April 11-13. Your participation during the lunch and conversation on April 13 will be vital to that process. Please save the date and plan to participate as we work together to discern the will of God for our church community Governing body elected leadership of First Presbyterian Church Class of 2009 Mary Brant Jon Clemens Casey Crawford Brad Halverson Steve Primack Peter van Bever Dick Walker Ann Walsh Nancy Winter Amy Wood Class of 2010 Charles Faries Dick Malin Joey Razzano, Clerk Tim Sercombe Lois Shamberger Todd Stucky Gregg Swanson Mark Walker Class of 2011 Justie Braestrup Will Deming Jerry Johnson Cheryl Kleier Ted Magnuson Anna Myers Lisa Snodderly Janet Starosciak Commission and Committee Elders These Session assignments were made by consensus at the Session Retreat, February 1-3, at Menucha. The assignments are provisional and may change as needs arise. Christian Education Commission: Lois Shamberger, Chair; Cheryl Kleier, Ann Walsh Menucha Commission: Jon Clemens, Chair; Will Deming, Dick Malin, Amy Wood Mission Commission: Nancy Winter, Chair; Jerry Johnson, Ted Magnuson Outreach Commission: Brad Halverson, Chair; Ted Magnuson, Steve Primack, Gregg Swanson Parish Life Commission: Anna Myers, Chair; Lois Shamberger Support Commission: Justie Braestrup, Chair; Charles Faries, Jerry Johnson, Todd Stucky, Steve Primack, Mark Walker Worship Commission: Ann Walsh, Chair; Janet Starosciak, Dick Walker Facilitating Committee: Joey Razzano, Chair; Justie Braestrup, Brad Halverson, Jon Clemens, Anna Myers, Lois Shamberger, Tim Sercombe, Ann Walsh, Nancy Winter Human Resources Committee: Tim Sercombe, Chair; Lisa Snodderly, Peter van Bever Financial Oversight Committee: Katrina Halverson, Chair Congregational Nominating Committee: Peter van Bever, Chair; Anna Myers Planned Giving Committee: Mark Walker, Chair John Sharick will assist in self-study process As a part of our process to find a new pastor for FPC, on January 16 the Session authorized the Transition Team to engage a consultant/facilitator to assist our congregation in preparing a "mini" Self Study of FPC. The purpose of the Self Study is to give us a current snapshot of our church during this interim period; to prepare a mission statement, vision statement, and a statement of our core values, goals, program priorities, allocation of financial resources, structures of the session, staffing, and a time line for implementing decisions on all of these things. This Self Study will be the basis, later in 2008, for the Session's preparation of the Church Information Form (C.I.F.), which is the document we must submit to the PCUSA to solicit candidates for our next Pastor. The Transition Team has engaged Dr. John Sharick of Youngstown, Ohio, to assist us in the initial Self Study process. Dr. Sharick has an extensive record of pastoral ministry within our denomination and, since his retirement as Executive Presbyter, has served as a consultant/facilitator to many churches facing the same transitions that we face today. Dr. Sharick was present at the session retreat at Menucha on February 1-3. He will also make one or two multi-day visits to Portland in March and April, when he will assist us in gathering vital information from throughout the congregation on the directions in which we are called to go. We will keep you informed of particular dates and times where you can share your observations, recommendations, and hopes for our congregation as we go through the process of selecting our new pastor. Members of the Transition Team are Ann Bartsch, Jon Clemens, Lauren Deming, Harold Sawyer, and Gregg Swanson. Please feel free to contact us at any time with any suggestions, comments, questions or concerns. Women's Activities (more information) Open Circle welcomes all women Open Circle, a Bible study-prayer-fellowship group for women of all ages, will resume on Thursday, January 10. The group meets every Thursday from 9:30-11 a.m. in the Whitman Room. Childcare is provided free of charge. Our discussions are lively and our prayers, heartfelt. We are a "no guilt group'” and always welcome newcomers. If you've been thinking about participating in a Bible study, this would be an excellent time to give it a try. Contact Lauren Deming through the church office if you would like further information. PWM Mystery Book Club The PWM Mystery Book Club is comprised of a group of women who meet once a month on the 4th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. We meet at the church during the winter and then in various houses in the summer. We enjoy reading many different mysteries and then reviewing the book with our likes and dislikes. FPC Quilters – fellowship and mission FPC Quilters, which is a Presbyterian Women's group, take other people's quilt tops and hand-quilt them. It is a joy and a privilege to get to work together on someone's treasure and deliver a completed quilt to them. The payment we receive for this service is donated to local charities benefiting women and children. FPC Quilters meet Friday mornings at First Presbyterian Church, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a lunch break at 11:30. Child care is available if requested. We teach anyone who wants to join us how to hand quilt and give them a practice piece with which to start. Occasionally, we meet at Menucha to work on quilt projects that we put in charity auctions or sell through a raffle. Every other year we exhibit quilts in the Chapel. Our next Quilt Show is in October of 2008. To contact us about your quilt top, a quilt for the Quilt Show or to join our volunteers, call Jean Smith. Tuesday Evening Women's Group Men's Activities (more information) Monday Men's Group The Monday Men's Group meets for sack lunch on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. All men are invited. Contact Sam Boucot or Marvin Mitchell for more information. Youth Activities (more information) Youth Mission Trip to Guatemala A couple hours before Easter sunrise services here in Portland, the wheels of our Boeing 757 touched down in Guatemala City. Ten youth and five adults, led by Jason Mitchell, began a week-long adventure of service and ministry in Guatemala on behalf of First Church. Easter morning, we were fed a traditional American/Guatemalan breakfast of eggs, pancakes and papaya. Then we attended a worship service in a local neighborhood evangelical church. The service was in Spanish but the songs were projected on a screen, and we were able to sing along because the tunes were familiar. After worship, we boarded a yellow school bus named "Perlita" and traveled about six hours on a winding bumpy road to a large city in the mountains named Huehuetenango. We paid the driver extra to drive slowly! For the next five days the group worked at the Instituto Biblido Berea. The Berea students study and live at the institute during the week and travel to their hometowns to minister during the weekends. We helped out by hauling gravel and sand, sifting gravel, and painting classrooms. On two of the afternoons, our youth also led a Vacation Bible School for the neighborhood children. The activities included chalk drawing on the pavement, kicking balls, chasing, coloring, bead work, and some Bible study. On the second day, some of our girls did a skit of the resurrection story from Mark with the aid of a Spanish translator. As it turned out, much can be communicated without translation. We had an opportunity to visit some Mayan ruins and made a stop in Antigua to do some shopping. Overall, we learned things about our world and about ourselves that will remain with us the rest of our lives. Pre-worship youth activity We want to let everyone know that we have a new and exciting opportunity for the youth of FPC. Sunday mornings at 9:45 in the youth room we will be gathering for some fun treats, games, and just a chance to hang out a little before the service. We will then go down and attend worship. Please join us this Sunday and the coming Sundays! Contact Jason if you have any questions. Parish Life (more information) Senior Adult Lunch Don Pullin is organizing an opportunity for fellowship at lunch following our church service for all senior adults. Interested persons will send a check to the church to cover the cost of the lunch prior to the event so that reservations can be made. These lunches could be organized on a regular basis. Talk to Don Pullin or call the church office. Watch the Spire and church bulletin for further details. Service opportunity Would you be interested in assisting at FPC memorial service receptions—setting tables, food and beverage preparation, cleanup, etc.? Our Deacons are always on hand to help at receptions, but sometimes additional hands are needed. If you are interested in helping, please call Janet Eastman, 503-636-3223, or Helen Crowell, 503-625-5608, for more details. Thanks you! Helpers needed to serve coffee on Sunday mornings The Rasta Jana Vala fellowship group has served coffee after church once a month for over 30 years. They have been faithful and dedicated in their service, which is what their name means: "Followers of the Way." Now they are retiring from this service. Many thanks to them for their friendly faces and good coffee service! We are in need of someone to fill their shoes. If you as an individual, couple or fellowship group, would like to meet and greet people and serve them coffee after church on Sundays, please contact Jean Smith. Do we have your current address? Have you moved recently, or are you planning a move in the near future? Do you have a new email address? Have you changed any of your phone numbers? Please be sure to notify the church office of any changes so we can keep our records up to date! Adult Fellowship Group: "The Up and Going" Divorce Recovery Group A Divorce Recovery Group has started. Members and friends of the church are most welcome. You are also encouraged to invite others you know to attend. The group will spend time together "in a circle" sharing our stories, processing, giving and receiving support and care. Attention will be paid to current research and literature in the field of relationship/conflict and the unraveling of marriages in our world today. All are welcome. Dr. Tom Nolen is leading the group. Please call Tom at the church with any questions or concerns. Teen Parenting Group Calling all parents of teens! You are cordially invited to join in our parenting group. The group resumed on October 7 and will meet on the first Sunday of each month from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided! Stop the Rollercoaster is our resource text. (Visit the web site.) This year we will supplement the text with a variety of materials, including film clips, to promote our reflection and discussion. The group will be led by Diane Ponder and Tom Nolen. All parents of teens are invited and encouraged to attend as we share insights, joys and issues around this wonderful and challenging stage of life for us all! Please contact Tom Nolen with any questions or concerns. Young Adult Bible Study (more information) Prayer Chain members commit to praying for those with needs The Prayer Chain is made up of a small group of people who commit themselves to the discipline of praying for others in need. This is such a blessing to do, and the group desires to share this gift with others. We are recruiting more folks to join with the small group who covenant to pray with and for members and friends of the church standing in the need of prayer. The process is simple. As prayer requests come to the church or a pastor, they are passed on to one person by telephone. That person then calls another, who calls another, etc. We covenant to keep the names and situations confidential. It is a holy task to take the names and troubles of particular individuals to the Lord in prayer. Each member understands this Prayer Chain to be a gift. You don't have to be an expert at prayer; in time, though, you may find your prayer life enriched and deepened. Fran Elton is the current Chair, and she would love for you to become a member of the Prayer Chain. Please contact Fran or Tom Nolen through the church office if you have any questions or prayer requests. Christian Education (Adults, Children) Our children are counting on you There's a critical need for additional church school teachers and shepherds to participate in our 10:20 a.m. elementary school program (after Children's Moments). Please prayerfully consider your gifts and if God is calling you to minister in this critical ministry of our congregation. Training is available; please call Anne or Tymberly. When the children of our congregation are baptized, all members affirm that they will guide and nurture them by word and deed, with love and prayer, and encourage them to know and follow Christ and be a faithful member of his church. The children of our congregation are counting on you. Christian Education Factomoly Did you know that our children will be studying "Who Is Jesus" beginning May 11? Our children will become familiar with stories that tell about Jesus as God's son, discover the meaning of the word Messiah, and learn that Jesus was not the Messiah that people expected. Children will also be given opportunities to explore who Jesus is to them in their own walk of faith. Ask your children what they are learning about our Messiah, Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be his follower in the 21st century? Think retreats & camps It's not too early to begin thinking about late spring and summer plans! Put these dates on your calendar now for days and weeks of fun and fellowship, learning and serving, and praising God in the great out of doors. Memorial Day Work Weekend (all ages) May 23-26; Menucha, Corbett City Camp (FPC Mid-High Youth) June 22-27; Around Portland Mini-Camp (entering 3rd-6th graders) July 13-18; Menucha, Corbett Senior High Greatest Camp Ever July 20-25; Camp Magruder, Rockaway Beach Watch for more information this spring. The FPC Library needs your books The Library Committee is always looking for new titles, gently used, to add to its current circulation. Donated books will be evaluated by committee members, then will be placed on shelves, sold at a library book sale (monies raised will be used to purchase new books) or donated to the Multnomah County Library's Title Wave Used Bookstore. Bring your books and place them on the table at the far end of Calvin Library. Please mark them: "Donated Books for the Library." Alder Street Learning Center earns kudos! The Alder Street Learning Center, which provides top-notch childcare to the children of our community, is rated #1 in our city by Citysearch. Every weekday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., toddlers and preschoolers are welcomed by Director Linda Foote and staff to this Christian Child Care Center a Preschool of the Arts. With special emphasis on the arts including dance, music, art expression and sign language, the ASLC is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and their families in their warm, secure, inviting atmosphere in the basement of First Church. Although the ASLC has no immediate openings, you may call 503 228-5855 to arrange a tour and to be placed on the waiting list. Interested in quality childcare for yourself or a friend? Call Linda Foote at 503-228-5855. Outreach Get Connected! The Get Connected! event on May 18 will be held at 9 a.m. in the Calvin Library (instead of after worship as originally scheduled). Anyone who is new to our church or who may be interested in learning more about our programs and ministries is invited to this informal gathering and discussion with the Outreach team over coffee and pastries. No sign up is required. Please extend this invitation to your friends and anyone who may be interested. Membership Information Program Moving? Help us keep our church records up to date! Please notify Michelle LaCroix in the church office any time you change your address, phone number, or e-mail address. Need transportation to and from worship? Van rides are available to all members who need or want a ride to and from church for worship on Sunday. Please contact the church office if you need a ride or know someone who might. Van drivers needed! We currently provide a ride to church for people from Willamette View and Terwilliger Plaza retirement communities who would otherwise not be able to attend. Qualifications necessary for volunteers are a current driver's license and a good driving record. Your commitment is to drive the van on Sundays for one or two months during a calendar year. Volunteers should contact Dave Hawkins through the church office. Health Ministries (more information) AED and CPR Training We have a new AED (automatic external defibrillator) which is located in the glass office and can be used in a cardiac emergency by persons trained to use one. If you have proper training, please familiarize yourself with this one or contact Lois Jackson for instructions. There are several organizations approved by the American Heart Association to provide AED, CPR, and/or first aid training. Two of these groups are CPR Lifeline, 503-243-3364, and Health and Safety 1st, 503-234-9409. The Health Ministry Team encourages groups such as ushers and Sunday school teachers to take advantage of these trainings. If you have questions or need assistance setting up training, feel free to contact Lois Jackson through the church office. Stewardship (more information) Let there be Light We have a rich heritage here at First Presbyterian Church. Our history is steeped with the vision and foresight of many people who saw our valuable assets and took steps to protect and preserve them for future generations. It is our responsibility as the current members of our church to nurture, care for and preserve all that has been left in our care. Some of our most visible jewels are the 82 stained glass windows gracing our church, which were created by the famed Povey Brothers over 100 years ago. When David and John Povey arrived in Portland in 1888 and founded their company, they were continuing an art practiced in Europe by their family for generations. Povey Brothers Glass became a preeminent supplier of stained glass windows in Oregon and on the West Coast. The priceless pieces of historic artwork left in our care are in dire need of repair and restoration. We need to address the damage from wear and tear on our windows before we put this art at more risk. Please plan to attend an informational meeting and learn what type of restoration work could be done to preserve our windows. We will meet in the sanctuary on Sunday, May 18, immediately following our worship service. Our stained glass restorers, Willet-Hauser Architectural Glass, will present information about our windows and be available for questions. Please learn more about this important work so we can begin to save these gifts left in our care. For more information contact Harold Sawyer, Steve Snodderly, Marcus Jones or Justie Braestrup. Jubilee Funds follow-up forum On May 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the Whitman Room, Caroline Kurtz, R.N. will present "Partnerships in the Worldwide Body of Christ." Drawing on her years as a mission child in Ethiopia, as a PC(USA) missionary in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan, and now as a mission mobilizer for Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship (PFF), Caroline shares how US Christians engage in prayer and resource for Christians around the world. PFF connects congregations with areas where the gospel is expanding into new population—in the hands of local believers who are spiritually rich, but resource poor. Partnerships with such churches bless these new brothers and sisters in Christ, and bless us. Thank you for pledging! In times of pastoral transition, it is typical for congregations to see a decline in donations. We are pleased and proud to share the news that FPC is bucking that trend. Rather than decrease, the amount pledged has increased. Our congregation has made clear that we value the work we're doing together, and we know that many people are counting on our blessings. Our community has pledged $1,042,143 for God's work through our congregation in 2008! We still expect to receive a few more pledges from those who have pledged in the past but have not yet committed for this year. The average pledge increased by 13%, and 42 made pledges for the first time. In life and death (and in transition times) we belong to God and our gifts come from God. Our heartfelt thanks to all who increased their pledges, began pledging for the first time or faithfully continued their pledge commitment. Our community, both locally and around the world, can truly "count on our blessings!" The 2008 Stewardship Team: Steve Primack (Chair), Lauren Deming, Tom Green, Brad Halverson, Linda and Tim Killen, and MaryKay West Online Giving is now available at First Presbyterian Church Online Giving is protected — All transactions are transmitted and stored at the highest level of security possible. Access to donor information is restricted, with no need for multiple staff to record giving activity. Online Giving is easy – Just follow these five simple steps: Follow the link from our Web site or notify our office of your interest in online giving and include your home e-mail address. We will create an online account for you and send an email notification of how to access it. The first time that you open your account, you will be prompted to define your password. You then indicate the bank account(s) and/or credit card(s) that you will use for online giving. Enter a one-time gift or set up automated contributions, and you're done! Tax-free IRA charitable rollover If you are 70.5 or older you can make a charitable gift from your IRA and exclude the gift from taxable income. Please call Sally at 503-228-7331 to learn more. Mission (more information) A fun and tasty way to support Friendly House On Tuesday, May 13, from 5 p.m. until closing, the McMenamins at 1716 NW 23rd Avenue will donate 50% of the evening's proceeds to Friendly House. Enjoy an evening out and a great food with the added bonus of supporting Friendly House, whose programs benefit children, seniors, homeless families and the neighborhood. An important May 17 project First Presbyterian youth will join the Monday Men's Group for a cleanup project at the home of FPC members Forrest and Patricia Wheeler who live in Vernonia, Oregon. On December 3, the Wheeler family suffered $144,000 damage to their home when eleven inches of rain created 62 inches of flood water rushing through their property. While their home has been restored, the grounds need help. Sam Boucout of the Monday Men’s Group organized a cleanup project involving the youth of our church. The group is scheduled to leave Portland at 9 a.m. on May 17 (if it is not raining!). Projects will be assigned upon arrival. The Wheelers will provide pizza, hot chocolate and a cash donation to the youth group. This is an unusual opportunity for youth to be cross-generationally involved helping a family that is part of our congregation who suffered from the Vernonia Flood of 2007. Contact Sam Boucot or Jason Mitchell with questions or to volunteer. A hearty vegetable stew The current cooking class in the Julia West House Workshop program shows how we cooperate with other organizations to provide opportunities for our neighbors. Cristina Stella is a Jesuit volunteer on loan to Julia West several hours a week from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. She has been working at Julia West to identify reasons our guests don’t have healthier diets. Her findings show that many people living in downtown low-income housing cannot cook because they don’t have a stove or refrigerator; when they get food boxes, they are not given healthy foods; healthy foods are expensive, unhealthy foods not nearly so; and many people have dental problems and cannot chew fresh vegetables and fruit. Cristina organized a 5-week cooking class to be held in the FPC kitchen. The students are residents of Alder House. The chef leading the class is a cook at Sisters of the Road Café. The purpose of the class is to improve local food distribution and to encourage healthy cooking. Each participant learns vegetarian cooking using a microwave oven. At the end of the class the students will receive coupons that can be exchanged for fruits and vegetables at our own Farmers Table this summer. The first class had ten enthusiastic participants enjoying hearty vegetarian stew. Through the cooperation and participation of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the Jesuit Volunteer program, Sisters of the Road, Alder House, First Presbyterian Church, the FPC Farmers Table, and Julia West House, we are helping to improve life for our neighbors in downtown Portland by providing the knowledge and experience needed to make healthy meal choices. Community partners The Julia West House Workshop partners with over fifteen different community organizations in the Portland metropolitan area. From Portland Community College to Sisters of the Road to Street Roots, we all work together to better serve those who come through our doors. Medical Teams International, formerly known as Northwest Medical Teams, gives the Julia West House Workshop personal and medical supplies on a monthly basis. We are in need of a volunteer to pick up these supplies—usually four boxes—and drop them off at the Workshop. Medical Teams International is located near Bangy Road south of Portland. If you would like to volunteer for this vital monthly ministry, please contact Patty Warman, Program Director at the Julia West House, at 503-222-6564. Julia West art class Hydrogen, MIG, TIG–those are words and terms used in welding. They may seem out of place in an art class, but the Julia West art class is different. Artist Sharon Agnor brings her unique perspective as an artist and a welder to the weekly classes she teaches. Sharon has created public sculptures for the City of Vancouver, Washington State University, the Vancouver Housing Authority, and many private collections. She's had work selected for the juried exhibitions at FPC. Most recently she was selected as a finalist for an outdoor art competition, "Sculpture Without Walls" in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Sharon is a busy artist, but she takes time to come to the Julia West House for a weekly art class with six men. She says, "This is the most important thing I do all week and the highlight of my week." If you would like to volunteer at the Julia West House Workshop, please contact Patty Warman at 503-222-6564. Humanity in perspective at the Julia West House By Patty Warman The Oregon Council for the Humanities and Reed College offer a four-credit class, "Humanity in Perspective." This highly competitive program is open to people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to be exposed to Reed College and its world renowned professors. Eleven students recently completed the year-long class. One of these students was a Julia West House Workshop guest, C. J. White. Mr. White, who spends his nights under a downtown bridge, used the Workshop computers to type all of his assignments. From Sophocles and Plato to Tennessee Williams and Martin Luther King, a new world was revealed, not only to Mr. White, but also to the Workshop staff and volunteers. Many hours were spent in debate as staff and volunteers talked over Mr. White's homework, and encouraged him to complete the rigorous assignments. On April 6 the entire Workshop community will celebrate with Mr. White as he completes his class. His plans are to continue his college experience and enroll in a four-year university, majoring in either writing or philosophy. Congratulations C. J. White! Three Cheerleaders - by Patty Warman Like all good Presbyterians, we have lots of meetings at the Julia West House Workshop. During a meeting with myself and two local ministers, one of our guests, Mitchell, burst into the room to tell us he had just received a certificate for completing a drug treatment program. After hearty congratulations were exchanged, one of the ministers suggested we make our own certificate of congratulations and the three of us would sign it. Then whenever Mitchell felt discouraged he could pull it out and look at it. It would be like having his own personal cheerleaders. Mitchell readily agreed. After many hugs and handshakes, Mitchell decided he would have the precious certificate laminated and went on his way. The three cheerleaders were left alone to ponder the sudden and profound turn our meeting had taken. So many loose ends One of the problems with drug addiction is that we can't wrap up people's stories into neat little packages with a start and a finish. Freddy is a good example. Freddy came to the Julia West House Workshop with the obligatory shopping cart, dirty clothes, and missing teeth. Freddy was addicted to crack cocaine. For six months Freddy came to the Workshop program for coffee and a kind word from the staff. During that time we learned that Freddy was an amazing cook and guitar player. He was kind and sweet. Then he was gone. When he returned he was unrecognizable. Cleaned up, he not only had a job, he also had new teeth. But the best part was he had hope. For three months Freddy stayed clean and sober. Then he was gone again. A week later he came to Daywatch unshaven and dirty. The cycle had started again. Addiction had reared its evil head. Today I went with Freddy to sign up for the DePaul Treatment Program—a three month waiting list. So many loose ends. Daywatch update As many of you know, Daywatch has undergone some major changes lately. The most noticeable change is the expanded hours. We are now open Monday-Saturday, 6:10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a couple of minor exceptions. Another big change is the daily storage of our guests' backpacks, which led to the suspension of the Food Box part of our program. (There are other places for our guests to get food boxes.) We still provide cookies and donuts every morning at 9:00, and we have added a healthy snack served at 2 p.m. Here's how you can help. We are gladly accepting donations of cookies, sandwiches, and microwavable lunch-type items. We also need socks, razors, and other toiletries. Another way to help would be to come serve our guests either donuts during the morning shift or snacks during the afternoon shift. Questions? Call Tom Wilson, 503-984-4702. Thank you for your support. What's in a cup of coffee? For some of our guests at the Julia West House Workshop, a cup of coffee can bring feelings of home, comfort, even acceptance. For many of our folks, a hot cup of coffee is the highlight of their day. From drinking a cup of coffee in a support group to taking a break from a literacy class, a cup of coffee is a welcome treat. Stumptown Coffee donates all the coffee we serve in the workshop program. Be sure to thank them for their kindness the next time you visit their shops! Donate to Day Watch We are in need of plastic, stackable patio chairs for Day Watch. Do you have any that are in good condition that you would like to donate? If so, please contact Michelle LaCroix in the church office. Thank you for your support! Our most meaningful gifts: caring and sharing The spiritual gifts God gives to us are meant to be given away generously in our Christian service to others. Are you looking for a new way to use your spiritual gifts? If you find yourself naturally offering empathy, caring, encouragement, and comfort to those around you, please consider joining our church's Stephen Ministry. This lay ministry is named for the disciple who became the first Christian martyr for preaching the Gospel after Christ's death. Working together with the associate pastor for congregational nurture, Stephen Ministers offer one-on-one attention and care to those in our church community who are going through especially difficult life experiences. Tom Nolen and our church's Stephen Ministry team will hold a new training season for Stephen Ministers beginning in February. Stephen Ministers tend to be a small, behind-the-scenes group. We give one-on-one attention and care to church members who are going through especially difficult life experiences, such as divorce, death of a family member, or prolonged illness. We rely on Christ"s mercy and love to offer compassionate listening and support. Like the reference in the Affirmation of Faith, we try to help "bind up the broken-hearted." Unfortunately, there are currently only about a half dozen active Stephen Ministers in our church (with several others commissioned but inactive). Like many churches, we have an especially difficult time recruiting men for this ministry—we currently have none. Our group would be enriched by more diverse perspectives and experiences. Please consider your spiritual gifts carefully to see if you can help us fulfill our church community’s need for more Stephen Ministers. Your attention and care can make a huge difference to those experiencing extraordinary hardship and grief. For more information, please contact Tom Nolen or Janet Lebson. Paul Raja Rao ordained Former First Church mission associate Paul Raja Rao has been ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament in the Church of South India. Paul is the founder and executive director of India/Bharati Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS), which supports work with the Dalits (untouchables) of India. English Language Center Do you have two hours a week to volunteer for a worthy endeavor? There are more than sixty international adults in Portland who want to improve their English language skills. The gift of your time and energy can lead to individuals becoming informed American citizens, acquiring a better job, increasing communication skills, and gaining an understanding of American culture. Full-time and substitute tutors are needed. The English Language Center tutors and students meet at First Presbyterian on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 and Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8:45. Free childcare is provided on Thursday mornings, and free parking is available in our garage. It’s a most gratifying experience. Last year over forty individuals tutored for over 2,000 hours. Contact Judy Morton or Barb Hansen. Tutoring begins with a tutors' meeting the week of September 11 and continues through the week of June 7, 2008. Day Watch update The ministry at Julia West continues to grow in meaningful ways. With the increased hours, our Day Watch hospitality program is expanding as more and more individuals learn that this is a safe and caring place to be. With the new growth comes new opportunities to support Day Watch. More volunteers are needed during the day helping with guest services, making healthy snacks in the kitchen, or working on community relations. If you are looking for a place in which to volunteer and would like to learn more about the opportunities at Day Watch, please contact Marv Mitchell, TomNolen, or Tom Wilson. Seafarers Thank you for all your contributions to Seafarers. Please keep your donations coming. Also, thank you to the youth for doing the Christmas mugs. The sailors appreciated them. We can use $5 phone card donations so sailors can call home. Please make out a check to First Presbyterian Church marked for Seafarers' phone cards. Recycle your old cell phone Got an old cell phone you don't need anymore? Working or not, any brand or model of cell phone can be recycled, providing prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. John and Barb Purdy will collect the phones you deliver into the box in Geneva Hall labeled "Cell Phones for Soldiers." Please bring only the phone and attached battery. Accessories cannot be recycled. Visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com for more information. History (more information) Learn more about our historic church Your group or you as an individual may schedule a visit to the Cusick History Center on the second floor of the Parish House. Call Mary Ellen Showalter to arrange a white-glove tour. A glimpse into the past -- Little Lamps On February 8, 1891, Little Lamps was organized to teach the little ones Christian giving and interest in the welfare of others. There were 46 members. In 1892, $82.46 was collected. Tour the Cusick History Center Need an interesting program for your group, for your family, or for just you? Arrange a visit to the Cusick History Center for a white-glove tour. See the original deed for our church property, the first FPC Spire ever published, historic photos, and interesting artifacts. Call Abigail Romick to arrange a date. Let her know if you have special interests. Notes from the Cusick History Center The Baby Mission Band was organized in September 1893. Members were expected to make an annual payment of 25¢ until age five. Until annual pledges replaced pew rentals as a way to support the church program, worshippers could rent a seat in a pew. The most economical seats on the main floor were in the front row in the sections farthest from the center aisle. The Board of Trustees fixed the rent for an annual fee of $l.50. Balcony seats in the back row of the sides of the balcony were $l.00. The Cusick History Room (Room 202 of the Parish House) is open most Sundays after church, on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., and at other times by arrangement. Do you have items relating to the history of FPC? The History Committee would like to enter these items into the archives. You may contact a member of the History Committee or leave the items with a brief description and your name in the Cusick History Center. Items will be properly stored and cared for. Sermons and services from 1960-1980 available on CD Do you remember some special sermons that you would like to hear again, or would you like to review a series of sermons from former pastors? Sermons, primarily of Dr. Paul Wright, with some from Dr. Bill Lindsay and Rev. Bill Creevey, are now available to the congregation on CD, as are some of the choir and orchestra directed by Jim Welty. See the Audio History page for a full index of CDs available. The History Committee will add to the collection as new material is discovered. Recently the Lawsons donated a record of the choir directed by John Stark Evans singing his Missa Solemnis, which will be transferred to a CD soon. The Committee has been assisted by Tom Calderwood, who has been working with reel-to-reel tapes long distance from Boston, and by Brandon and Gretchen Erickson and Doug Blumberg. Thanks to the Lawsons for saving the reel-to-reel tapes and Murlan Kaufman for some of the cassette tapes. CDs can be made on request for a small charge. Come to the History Room after church to listen to a CD. Contact Abigail Romick through the church office if you have questions or want to order a CD. Special Menucha Events (more information) Menucha program updates Menucha has some interesting programs scheduled over the course of 2008. Two new programs may be of interest: Watercolor Techniques with Artist Gayle Weisfield, May 4-9, and Quilting Your Spiritual Journey with pastor/storyteller and quilter Nancy Ferguson, October 12-17. For more information, pick up a brochure at the HOME Center counter. If you have questions, please contact Scott Crane at Menucha, 503-695-2243. Please spread the word about these great opportunities! Annual Menucha Memorial Day Work Weekend, May 24-26 Plan to attend some or all of the annual work weekend at Menucha over Memorial Day weekend. Volunteers may come to help work around the ground for half a day, an entire day, or longer. There is work outside and inside: weeding, clearing trails, planting flowers, painting, and helping out in so many other ways. We begin on Saturday, May 24, and continue throughout the day. Fun and games will be enjoyed by those who stay overnight. After a brief morning worship experience, the work will continue on Sunday. The Menucha staff needs to know what meals you will be eating on site and if you plan to stay overnight. Lodging is available in Ballard and Lindsay. Scrumptious meals will be enjoyed. There is no cost for the weekend—your sweat equity is payment enough! However, you may choose to make a financial donation to Menucha to help cover the cost of meals. Please contact Shannon at the church office to reserve your meals and your room. Menucha Rose Garden Labyrinth update The Rose Garden Labyrinth at Menucha is nearing completion. The final stones are being laid; the old roses have been pruned and replanted; new roses have been planted and are beginning to bud. Our old rose garden has been born again! Over 50 rose bushes have been planted so far to enhance the beauty of the setting. Now you have an opportunity to share in this project! For $25 you may buy a rose in honor or in memory of a loved one. Checks should be made out to Menucha Rose Garden Labyrinth and sent to Menucha, PO Box 8, Corbett, OR 97019. Please include the name of the individual being honored. A list of donors/honorees will be printed in the June edition of The Menucha Meander. With Mother's Day just around the corner and Father's Day coming up in early summer, what a splendid opportunity to honor those we love! If you have questions or would like more information, contact Scott Crane at Menucha, 503-695-2243. You read it here first! - By Kathy Withycombe The Christmas Ball at Menucha will be hosted this year by Rasta Jana Vala Fellowship group on Saturday, December 6. Please put this 50th anniversary date on your calendar. "Rasta" started the Ball in 1958 to bring back old English (maybe Celtic) customs and will plan the gala occasion with as much fun, fanfare, and merriment with which it began. This will be a sell out event. If you were fortunate enough to be able to attend in the early years or anytime after and have pictures, we would like very much to have them (or copies of them) to add to our picture album for display. Surf the Web--help Menucha A unique opportunity to help Menucha raise funds for its continuing mission has been made available. GoodSearch, a search engine that uses Yahoo, will donate $0.01 to Menucha for each search performed! Here are the ways you can start using GoodSearch and help Menucha: Go to the GoodSearch homepage (www.goodsearch.com) and indicate that you would like Menucha to be the charity of your choice. Download the GoodSearch Toolbar to your computer(s) from the same page. Make GoodSearch the homepage on all computers in your company or school. Use GoodSearch whenever you search the web. Get great search results and support Menucha all at the same time! For more information or help, please contact Scott Crane at 503-695-2243 Nadal Telescope at Menucha Did you know that a telescope, given to Menucha in memory of Joe Nadal by the Nadal family, is available to groups or individuals for viewing the wonders of the night sky? Planets, galaxies, nebulae, stars, and star groupings can be viewed with remarkable clarity through the amazing Celestron NexStar 11-inch telescope. If you, your family, or your group would like to take advantage of this instrument and a knowledgeable crew of operators, call Christine at Menucha, 503-695-2243, and ask about the availability. Beginning September 20, we will have the telescope operating on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through March 20, weather permitting. Volunteer at Menucha! "Menucha has a paid staff; it doesn't need volunteers." Right? Wrong! Menucha belongs to all members of FPC, and there's ample work for anyone who is willing to volunteer. Remember when we used to think ivy was simply a beautiful ground cover? It is that, but now we also know it can kill trees, take over whole areas, and leave no room for anything else to grow. Menucha has embarked on a long-term project of eradicating the ivy on our grounds, and we can use your help. Remember the Gorge fires in recent years? Though they didn't reach Menucha, they easily could have. Menucha is working with the Forest Service to create barely visible but highly effective firebreaks. Call Menucha at 503-695-2243 to volunteer on your own, and watch the Spire for group efforts. We really can use your help with these and other projects. Music and Arts (more information) Sixth Season of Celebration Works Great concerts in Portland for only $8-$10? Yes, it's happening at First Presbyterian where Celebration Works, our series of concerts and art exhibits, is preparing to launch its sixth season in October. Originally begun as part of the sesquicentennial celebration, the series has grown and enlarged to include the music programs in all genres and art exhibits that continue to present thought-provoking ideas in a variety of media. This season's concerts include one of Portland's classical music gems, the Florestan Trio, in an all-Mendelssohn program, as well as three choral groups (Belle Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble, the FPC Chamber Choir and the Portland Symphonic Girlchoir) and two organ recitals featuring the church's outstanding 69-rank tracker organ built by Dan Jaeckel in 2000. Three other recitals of instrumental chamber music are also on the series. Most concerts are on Sunday afternoons at 3 pm in the Sanctuary. Free parking in the church's underground garage at the corner of SW 12th and SW Morrison is provided during concerts. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors (over 65) and students. 2007-08 Concert Series Schedule: Sunday, Oct. 21 at 3 pm: Florestan Plays Mendelssohn. The Florestan Trio Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 pm: Courtship Songs. Cary & Dorothy Lewis, piano/cello duo, and OSO principal players David Buck, flute, and Martin Heber, oboe Sunday, Jan. 20 at 3 pm: Pipes & Strings. Jon Stuber & Mary Rowell, organ/violin duo Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 pm: 4th Annual Treble Choir Concert: A Celebration of Cross-Generational Music-Making. Belle Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble and outstanding treble choirs from the area Sunday, Feb. 24 at 3 pm: Night Visions: Music of the Night. FPC Chamber Choir Sunday, Apr. 6 at 3 pm: A Vivid Yes! Bill Crane, organist Sunday, Apr. 20 at 3 pm: Beginnings. Caballito Negro-Flute & Percussion Duo Sunday, May 4 at 3 pm: Laughing and Shouting for Joy. Portland Symphonic Girlchoir Sunday, June 1 at 3 pm: Unexpected Pleasures. Alder Street Chamber Winds -- Note: This is a date change Art Exhibit Schedule: Sept. 9-January 6: Garden of God, Water Media. Artists Claudia Breese, Susan Spears & Blenda Tyvol Through March 23: Sketches by Dell Nelson Mar 30-May 25: Watercolors by Ming Wei June 1-Aug. 3: Works of Faith. Multi-media juried exhibit Ming Wei, watercolors The beautiful work of Chinese watercolor artist Ming Wei will be featured in the Chapel. Drawing from Chinese classical technique and the abundant natural beauty of the Northwest, Mr. Wei's paintings are characterized by a classical simplicity and yet have a complexity that invites contemplation and introspection. Art has always been Mr. Wei's childhood dream. Born in Shanghai to a family of Chinese scholars and artists, he began painting when he was seven years old and continued painting throughout his childhood years. It was not until graduation from high school that he put aside his love of art, on the advice of his father, to pursue a career in the field of geology, where he could earn a stable income. Over the next three decades, he became a successful and respected geologist; but even with the responsibilities of marriage and family, Ming Wei held onto his dream of being an artist. As a geologist traveling throughout the world, he discovered the beauties of nature. After retirement, on the urging of his family, he enrolled in art school to receive formal training and transfer a lifetime of memories to canvas. Since the moment he picked up the paintbrushes, he has been captivated with this pursuit, and art has become the everlasting topic of family conversation. Mr. Wei and his family now reside in Beaverton, Oregon, where he continues to paint, exhibiting his work throughout the northwest. Mr. Wei says of his painting: "I would like to introduce the two major traditional Chinese watercolor styles to audience: GongBi and XieYi. Chinese watercolor is a combination of poetry, history, culture, music and visual beauty. I would like to translate my understanding and perceptiveness of nature and human life onto my paintings. I have been enjoying blending the Western and Eastern Painting Styles. "Multnomah Fall," "Mt. Hood" and "Sunflower Vases" etc. are great examples." Mr. Wei's work will be on exhibit in the Chapel through May 25. Individual works are available for purchase; contact the Visual Arts Committee for details or stop by the Chapel on Sunday after worship. Autumn Midnight Multnomah Falls in Spring Mt Hood Beauty Chancel Choir presents Rheinberger Cantus Missae During worship on Trinity Sunday, May 18, the Chancel Choir will present Josef Gabriel Rheinberger's Cantus Missae, Op. 109. Rheinberger (1839-1901) compositions are often compared to those of Johannes Brahms—well crafted, with a fine sense of melody and keenly balanced harmonic development. As a church musician, he composed a great deal of choral music, among which include 18 masses for differing vocal forces and accompaniments. The Cantus Missae is his only mass scored for double choir. Be here next Sunday for this great musical presentation. FPC Children's and Cherub Choirs present Elijah! God’s Faithful Prophet This theatrical endeavor chronicles the exciting story of Elijah through speech and song. It will take place in the sanctuary following the last Wednesday Feast of the season on May 7 at 6:45 p.m. and again following Worship on Sunday, May 11, at 11:45 a.m. Please come support our talented kids! If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Kristen Buhler at kristen.buhler@fpcpdx.org or call the church office. Presbytery and Denomination News (more information) PC (USA) news at home Here are two no-cost ways to keep up with what is happening in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) By e-mail: subscribe free and get all the latest news from the Presbyterian News Service electronically. Go to http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/lists.htm and follow the easy instructions. By World Wide Web: for news with photos and video clips, go to http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews. Keep up with what is going on!