Come join the creative process!
After the service this Sunday, Sep 18th, join us for a potluck lunch in the Lighthouse.
Sandy and Brett will facilitate some brainstorming from YOU(!) around what Westside is called to do for the holidays this year.
This is a time of communal reflection and discernment and your input matters! Where the Lord is calling us, the Lord provides vision, specific planning, and people power to pull it off!
The Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA) Back to School campaign was a big success this year. They were able to give 138 children a new backpack full of school supplies, and 53 families clothing for school. Thank you to the Westsiders who donated!
Whatever your time frame or budget is, they can use your help. The current projects include advocating for people whose water is shut off. Volunteers help families access funding or create a payment plan.
There are numerous other ways to volunteer. Stay tuned for how you can help with Thanksgiving!
Contact Merry G for more information, or call the WFWA office at 503-681-9399
After more than two years, the Westside choir is returning to the sanctuary for rehearsals, every Monday, beginning at 7:00 pm.
Please contact Chris G if you would like more information.
Many thanks to Mark W, Bonnie B, and Pastor Rafael for all their hard work last week!
With Pastor Brett, they cleared out the shed and reorganized the Family Room.
Although families are no longer hosted being hosted by churches, next week (Sep 18-24) is Westside’s opportunity to provide meals and grocery store/restaurant gift cards for families being housed in the Beaverton Day House.
There is always a need for new or gently used household items as well.
Contact Bonnie B for more information. Visit https://www.familypromisegwc.org/ for more information on Family Promise of Greater Washington County.
Your (grand)child is invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal to church this Sunday. We will be talking about them during the Children’s Moment, followed by our celebration of the Blessing of the Animals.
We hope each child will have their favorite animal, stuffed and/or real, with them.
Looking for folks to help us brainstorm our Advent/Christmas theme for the 2022 season.
We will meet in the Lighthouse after worship on Sunday, Sep 18, to discuss ideas. Bring a lunch (with perhaps some to share) and let’s compare notes.
There will be a signup sheet this Sunday for volunteers to help with childcare each Sunday during worship.
We will have a paid caregiver but need an additional adult for the safety of our children and workers. If enough people sign up, you will need to work only once per month (or less!)
Background checks are required every five years. Most of the checks on file are out-of-date. There are disclosure forms on the entryway table if you would like to complete one on Sunday.
If you were unable to attend on Sunday morning, here’s the video:
Join us for a special outdoor service this Sunday, Sep 11.
“Worship Under the Tent” will include a Blessing of the Animals, which emphasizes the bond of love and respect that animals have with their humans, and that humans have with all of creation.
You are invited to bring your furry friends on a leash or otherwise restrained.
Do you have something you’ve always wanted the church to do during Advent and Christmas? Do you have a vision for decorating for the holidays? Maybe there’s a tradition that means ‘Christmas’ to you.
Anyone who is interested is invited to help us brainstorm our theme for the 2022 season.
We will meet in the Lighthouse after worship on Sunday, Sep 18, to discuss ideas. Bring a lunch (with perhaps some to share) and let’s compare notes.
It’s time to clear our campus of broken, outdated, and/or unnecessary items. Let’s free up our space for the ministries that matter to us.
We will tackle two areas next week —
Thursday, Sep 8, at noon: the shed in the parking lot
Friday, Sep 9, at 9:00 am: the Family Room
Please help if you are able.
Thank you to all who participated in this week’s Red Cross blood drive! Eleven pints were collected.
Missed it? Another drive will be scheduled for late 2022/early 2023. Be watching for it! Or contact the church office and ask to be added to the email list.
Blood donors are lifesavers!
If you were unable to attend on Sunday morning, here’s the video:
https://youtu.be/20YY8af3POY
Clipboards will be available in the entryway this Sunday to sign up for:
Red Cross Blood Drive This coming Wednesday, Aug 31, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Only a handful of the slots have been filled so far. Please give if you can. Those who donate will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and be entered to win free gasoline for a year (a $6000 value!) Sign up online here: Blood Drive
Women’s Retreat, Nov 11 - 13 at Scholls Valley Lodge in Hillsboro. The retreat runs from 4:00 pm on Friday until 11:00 am on Sunday. The cost, including all meals, is $150. If you are unable to stay overnight, come all day Saturday for only $75. Contact Debbie G for more information. Sign up online here: Women’s Retreat
The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive in our Lighthouse building on Wednesday, August 31, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. There are one or two spots available every 15 minutes. You can sign up here
The community is invited to take part in this special event and donate blood for hospital patients in our neighborhoods and across the nation. The need for blood is constant, but only 3 percent of the U.S. population donates. By rolling up a sleeve, donors can play a critical role in the treatment of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Those who donate in August will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and be entered to win free gasoline for a year. Sign up today!
What a beautiful morning we had at Hagg Lake last Sunday!
Six persons were baptized in the lake by Pastor Brett - Ashleigh, Kenni, Amy, Angela, Jasmine, and Marly.
We rejoice with them!
Join us for a special outdoor service on Sunday, Sep 11.
“Worship Under the Tent” will include a Blessing of the Animals, which emphasizes the bond of love and respect that animals have with their humans, and that humans have with all of creation.
You are invited to bring your furry friends on a leash or otherwise restrained.
A message from Merry G:
Western Farm Workers Association has their latest newspaper out, so please take one from the greeting table in the Sanctuary building.
We are collecting school supplies for our members' children. The sorting and distribution will be on August 27th. Every child will receive a backpack with as many of the required items as we are able to provide, according to the list for each class.
Items can be dropped off at the church, or call Merry Goldthorpe to pick them up from your home or office. My home number is 503-690-1908, and my cell is 503-840-7410. Pick up a few items when you are out shopping, and help these kids get a good start to the year. I appreciate your support and thank you.
Questions? Call me, or our office 503-681-9399
Backpacks for teenagers are particularly needed; see the complete list of supplies in the entryway at church.
Our annual worship service at Henry Hagg Lake this Sunday, August 21, will begin at 11:00 am. There are six baptisms planned, along with great music, meaningful conversation, and prayer.
Click here for the directions to the Sain Pavillion at Hagg. There is a small entry fee per car, so you may want to carpool.