November – December 2016 Newsletter
Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship
NovemberandDecember2016
Jean Shevland July 15, 1922 – October 22, 2016
Jean will be remembered for her devotion to her faith, her church and her family. Wilshire UMNAF was very blessed to have her set the example of a dedicated life. Services are pending at this time. Please say a prayer for Jean and her family.
FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees has completed several maintenance tasks around the church. Furnace filters were changed, light bulbs in the kitchen and Fellowship replaced, the Porch light fixtures repaired and a new photo sensor installed. Two of the four bulbs will light-up at sundown. In the near future, the Portland Department of Parking Control will install a “No Parking on Sundays” sign on the Cesar E Chavez side of the church to allow the TriMet Lift Bus to disembark passengers near the ramp.
The Board is addressing other concerns around the property especially safety in the kitchen and use of the church parking lot. The next meeting of the Board is tentatively scheduled for December 18th. Interested persons are welcome to attend.
FINANCE NEWS
The annual Stewardship Pledge letters have been sent out. Please give thoughtful consideration to your pledge of monetary support and “time and energy” support to help Wilshire fulfill our mission.
Winner of “The CHILI Cook-Off” was Loretta Milton. She was awarded the coveted Lizard trophy the following Sunday. Sweet potatoes were one of the ingredients in her chili giving it a good autumn flavor. This fund-raiser yielded
$69.50 from the Chili Cook-Off and $53.90 from the Book Sale.
Financial Secretary, Helen Stewart
MISSION
Halloween Hospitality: Helen Iles and “DustMop” along with Bobbie Edwards and Helen Stewart handed out 120 bags of candy to costumed “trick or treaters”. Helen Iles takes a picture of all the participants.
Two and a half gallons of Hot Cider warmed parents and a few children.
Food and clothing continue to be collected for Mainspring Portland (formerly Fish Emergency) and for the BackPack Program. Drop donations in the baskets in the Fellowship Hall corner. Several people going to Standing Rock have received donations of warm clothing and camping equipment.
The Bottle & Can Lady (Helen I.)
As of November 13, 2016, the total for the year is $2,072.75. That’s a total of 41, 455 cans/bottles!!! Thanks to everyone who was and is able to contribute!! Keep those containers coming as we continue to make our commitment to ministries beyond the local church!!
WILSHIRE SEWING GROUP
The Wilshire Sewing Group will be meeting on Mondays starting on September 19th from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. Everyone is welcome to join. We will be working on projects for the Annual UMW Bazaar and social service projects. Bring your ideas, patterns, scissors, etc. We have two sewing machines available.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR (November 19, 2016)
The Church Holiday Bazaar on November 19th is the next event on the Wilshire UMNAF calendar. Hours for the sale are 10am -4pm. (poster is included in this newsletter).
Indian Tacos will be served from 11:30 am to 1pm. ($6).
The Wilshire Sewing Group will be selling assorted bags and other items. Anyone wanting a table space please call Helen Stewart to request a spot.
We needhelpsettingupforthe BazaarThursdayandFridayafternoonsNov17th and 18th. Donations of Baked Goods are needed on Saturday morning.
Please be sure to come for some early Holiday Shopping!
NOVEMBERBIRTHDAYS
| 23 | Steven Gregg | Caroline Underwood | Susan Pike |
| 25 | Susan D’Andrea | ||
| 26 | Jay Bateman | ||
| 27 | Judy Barney |
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
| 4 | Claudia Long | |
| 12 | Brian Yapko | Teresa Gregg |
| 13 | Lee Ann Wermy | Mandy Marple |
| 15 | Ed Wermy | |
| 21 | Lee Wermy Jr. | |
| 25 | Carol Edmo | |
| 30 | Hasani Milton |
Church Council News
Church Council met on October 16, 2016, with 7 people in attendance:
Helen Iles, Ed Edmo, Carol Edmo, Laf Keaton, Karrie Young, Helen Stewart and Loretta Milton.
On the agenda was a brief revisiting of the 3 way Charge Conference held at Woodlawn UMC and dispersing copies of the letter that was read at this event by Eva Johnson of CONAM (Committee On Native American Ministries). This letter is a heartfelt expression of the importance of maintaining Wilshire UM Native American Fellowship as a presence in the community. The rationale used in the letter is very compelling, looking at historical trauma as well as the Act of Repentance begun by the Methodist Church 8 years ago.
Our meeting also included some discussion about providing children who attend worship with an engaging experience as well as getting the word out that we are looking for credentialed childcare workers for help in the nursery during Sunday worship. We will also be refreshing the bags on the back pews for kids to use during worship. Also holding a children’s time during worship where kids are invited up front to be recognized will be important.
The financial report included the plan for Stewardship Celebration Sunday to be on November 20 so that folks could bring in their stewardship letter on that day. Being able to finance future pastoral presence at Wilshire is an ongoing goal.
We briefly discussed the possibility of hosting a salmon focused event at the church in early spring of 2017 and set a January 8, 2017, planning meeting for that.
Guest speakers for the upcoming Sundays in November & December are nearly set and we are so grateful for everyone who helps to make Sunday worship possible, including Helen Iles who arrives early to unlock and prepare, and Janell Collier who designs the service printed in the bulletin as well as provides amazing music; not to mention all of the wonderful people who attend worship and those who can bring food for the potluck…..We are all connected!
We are looking forward to a threshold event being held at Montavilla UMC on Nov. 13 from 2 to 4:00. We will have a chance to meet and hear from our new bishop at this time. The address for this event is 232 SE 80th.
We are looking forward to a joint candlelight service in partnership with Hughes Memorial UMC to be held on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, located at 111 NE Failing St. in Portland; time TBA.
Respectfully, Loretta Milton
See below for Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship new Vision and Mission statements
Vision
WilshireUnitedMethodistNativeAmericanFellowshipisahome for alltogainstrength, comfort, understandingandguidance, celebratinglivinginCreator’sworld. Thefellowshipwillbe a bridgebetweentraditions, generationsandbeliefs.
Mission
WilshireUnitedMethodistNativeAmericanFellowship’sMission
is to bring children and elders together to share Christian and Spiritual traditions
These are works in progress…..please see Church Task Force if you have questions or input on the statements..You are also welcome to attend the Church Task Force meetings.
SundaysWorship11:00AMPotluckand Fellowshipfollowingtheservice
Healing Notes
Our new program: Healing Notes: Native American-Style Flute Music for Healing
& Transition is underway! Healing Notes is a service for healing; special gatherings and celebrations; birthing; convalescence (home or facility) from illness or injury; death, dying and grieving; hospice; funerals, weddings, etc. Stephanie will travel to you and play the Native American Flute for you or your loved one(s). The potential benefits of music in a healing setting are calming, soothing, relief from pain, alleviation of distress, peace and relaxation. Reading, conversation, and smudging are also available upon request. All visits are strictly confidential. There is no charge for this service; funds for this program are provided by grants and voluntary love donations. This service is open to all ages, ethnicities, creeds, and spiritualties; it is nondenominational and there is no proselytizing. If you are interested in this service, please call Stephanie at the number during the hours below. If you need brochures, please contact either Stephanie or Helen Stewart of the Board of Trustees. Please don’t hesitate to call Stephanie at (503) 846-1755 between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., if you have any questions or concerns.
-Stephanie Baldridge
Prayer Tree
Should you, or anyone that you know, be seriously ill, coming up for surgery, convalescing, dying, etc., please help us activate the Prayer Tree by calling Stephanie at (503) 846-1755 between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or e- mailing her at: alaria@syrynx.net. In this way, we can notify everyone quickly and easily, and put all of our collective prayers to work!
-Stephanie Baldridge
Cascadia Flute Circle
Don’t forget to visit www.cascadiaflutecircle.org for a wealth of Native American cultural information and traditional (as well as non-traditional) recipes. We’re not just about Native American Flutes! Please contact Stephanie at alaria@syrynx.net or (503) 846- 1755 if you would like more info on Cascadia Flute Circle, Native American Flute presentations/lectures, lessons, concerts, weddings, funerals, etc.
Stephanie is now also doing Native American Flute lessons online. Please visit www.nativeamericanflutelessons.com, or contact Stephanie for more information.
