|
Church News for December 18, 2016
|
|
What will we do in Worship?
Sunday, December 18th—
This is the fourth Sunday of Advent and Mary is our focus. 14th century theologian and mystic, Meister Eckhart said, “What good is it to me that Mary gave birth to the son of God fourteen hundred years ago, and I do not also give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture? We are all meant to be mothers of God. God is always needing to be born.” Explore the mystery of how God is born in us and enjoy special music from the handbell choir and the Southminstrels!
|
Longest Night Service
Before Christmas was Winter Solstice. Our ancestors were star watchers, night gazers. They knew the darkness, its secrets, the dangers concealed under its cover. All mythologies have tales of the Longest Night just before Day breaks and Northern Hemisphere turns its face toward the Sun for six months of longer and longer days. The Longest Night is an opportunity for us to acknowledge our journey in the dark through whatever paths that journey takes us. Perhaps loss or grief, a recognition of impermanence or mortality, a need for silence in the midst of the cacophony of electric lights and noise. Invite a friend. Darkness offers its own Gift. Join us December 20th at 7:00pm.
|
Christmas Carols and Chili
Sunday, Dec. 18th @ 5:00pm
What’s better than spreading Christmas spirit with the magic of song? A hot crock of chili, that’s what! Join us on Sunday, Dec. 18th as we stop at destinations that could use a bit of holiday cheer. Everyone is welcome, and we are teaming-up with the Sai group. We will meet at 5:00 p.m. to help prepare the Chili and put together goodie plates for the families and/or nursing facilities that we go caroling to. Off to caroling around 6:00!
|
Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th, 5 pm
This is a marvelous, loud, filled with excited children, exuberant family service. This year, the children and youth of Southminster present “Christmas In Beaverton.” They have already done the work and now they invite parents, friends, and the whole congregation to watch the Christmas Story on the big screen!
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th, 11 pm
This is the traditional Southminster service to honor the night language of the Christmas Story through music, scripture, legend, and candlelighting. Featuring music from the chancel choir and bell choir, this is a central part of the Christmas celebration you won’t want to miss.
|
|
Birthday of the Prophets (Mohammad and Jesus)
Come around 430 and watch or participate in prayer that begins at 4:50. A program and discussion will follow about the birthdays of Jesus and Mohammad.
Bring a vegetarian dish (optional). This will be a great opportunity to connect with our Muslim friends!
|
|
New Member Welcome
We will welcome new members on Sunday January 8th. If you are interested in joining our congregation or learning more about it, contact our pastor, John Shuck at shuckjohna@gmail.com. |
|
Using Facebook and Twitter
Southminster has two Facebook sites, A Group Page and our All Are Welcome Page. In the group page any member can post. But you have to ask to join to be a member. Go to the Group Page and do that now. This is a place to share stuff going on in your life. It is a virtual coffee hour. I am posting minutes from session meetings and committee meeting summaries there under “Files.” Check it out! Minutes are also posted across from my office. The All Are Welcome Page is open for anyone to see. Only administrators (staff) can post. It is a place for a lot of church announcements. It is a great vehicle for outreach as well. Please go there now and “Like” it and share with your friends. Southminster is also on Twitter @southminpcpdx. The news is getting out about Southminster 140 characters at a time! |
Weekly Spiritual News
Cascades Connections
|
Sunday School Help Wanted!
Hello Southminster Friends and Families!
Many of you have been asking where to sign up to help with the grade school kids on Sunday.
And so here is the spot:
Why sign up? Well….
- This is a fantastic way to make connections with children and families
- The kids love to have new faces leading them through a lesson plan
- The lessons are all laid out for you in an easy to understand format
- They usually involve a story about a person, or a concept
- Right now we are talking about Peace and Love and Joy
All good stuff!
Don’t hesitate, the spots are filling up as we speak!
|
There are no greeters for Christmas Eve at 5 pm or Christmas Day. Can you help out?
Please contact Judy Thompson if are able to help.
|
A Call to Serve the Southminster Foundation
This is the time of year when the Southminster Presbyterian Church Foundation casts its net for people to serve. For just 3-4 hours per month you could join us in one of the most pleasant and satisfying activities in our church community.
If you are a member of the church, then you are already a member of the Foundation. Become active and help us to help people throughout Washington County and the greater Portland Metro area. We need people to fill the following positions:
Board Members & Grand Committee/Promotions Committee Members
Please contact one of us if you’re interested in a Board position, serving on a committee, or if you just want to find out more about the Foundation.
Rick Collins, 503-679- 3825, Nominating Committee Chair
Debbie Wilkins, Grant Chair
Joanne Wakeland, Promotions Committee
Nominations will be presented to the congregation at our January 2017 Annual Meeting for an acceptance vote.
|
|
Calling All Volunteers!!
Volunteers are needed to help the “Engineer” set up, be available during the open houses, and take down. Sue Kozak is coordinating the volunteer signup. If she asks you for help, please consider saying “Yes!” If you don’t get a call, and want to help, please let her know. The set up begins Monday, December 12 and take down is January 2-4, 2017. The open house times are:
Christmas Eve – 5:00pm
Monday, Dec. 26th – 1:00 to 3:00pm
Wednesday, Dec. 28th – 1:00 to 3:00pm
Friday, Dec. 30th – 1:00 to 3:00pm
We also need volunteers to help as ushers for our Christmas services. A sign-up sheet is available in the Peterson Gallery. We need 4-5 ushers per date, so please help if you can!
|
Upcoming Southminster Events
|
Christmas Carols and Chili
|
December 18th
|
|
|
Longest Night Service
|
December 20th
|
More info here |
|
|
This Week on Progressive Spirit!
Sue Monk Kidd, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
Sue Monk Kidd has written several novels including The Secret Life of Bees, The Mermaid Chair, and The Invention of Wings. Before the novels was the story of Sue Monk Kidd’s own journey, the Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman’s Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine. The 20th anniversary edition of the Dance of the Dissident Daughter has just been released. She discusses how that book shaped her novels, the quest for the Sacred Feminine, her relationship with organized religion, the effect Dance of the Dissident Daughter has had on her readers over the past 20 years, “holy misogyny,” and the grief and corresponding responsive action regarding the election. Visit progressivespirit.net to listen!
On Political Perspectives, John interviewed the US Representative for His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the future of Tibet. Is time running out for Tibet?
Listen Here
Podcasts are uploaded every Sunday by 11 a.m.
Follow Progressive Spirit:
|
|
Contact John
Won’t you be my friend?
Phone:1-423-943-0634 (Yup, I text)
|
|
