Brian Shimer
Online Worship on Zoom
Brian Shimer
Zoom Begins this Sunday
Brian Shimer
Join Us for Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Worship On Sundays

HomePlate Recap

Westside supports HomePlate Youth Services by providing a hot meal every other month. Our next visit is on Thursday, March 14. Contact Bonnie B for more information.

Here’s a recap of how HomePlate supported vulnerable youth in 2023:

After opening the newly renovated drop-in center in 2022, many more youth experiencing housing instability discovered HomePlate’s resources and support. In 2023, HomePlate served 918 unique youth, which represents a 66% increase over 2022. The Outreach team connected with more than 450 youth in parks, transit centers, and encampments. Our new Drop-In center welcomed more than 740 youth, supplying more than 50,000 meals. The Housing program helped 80 youth secure homes through the city's voucher program! The Employment team provided over 150 youth with intensive services, including 68 youth receiving one-on-one work readiness support. The Education program served 68 youth last year and launched an innovative Spanish GED program with community partners. It’s evident that the need for support in our community is greater than ever before! 

Feel led to help? Their March donation item is new underwear in all sizes. You can purchase directly from their Amazon wishlist or donate online at homeplateyouth.org. Thank you for your support!

WFWA Easter Party

Please join the Western Farm Workers Association for their celebration of Easter on Saturday, March 30.

They will serve a lunch and each child will receive an Easter basket. There will be games, crafts, egg dying, and, of course, the Egg Hunt.

They need donations of food, eggs, Easter baskets, plastic eggs, candy, small toys, and party supplies (no plastic or shredded paper ‘grass,’ please.)  Please leave any Easter party items in the basket by the front door at church. 

Can you bring a simple craft and help the children with it? Join Merry G as a volunteer to celebrate the joy of the holiday. You will have so much fun!  Call the WFWA office at 503-681-9399 or Merry G at 503-840-7410 to sign up or if you have any questions.

"The Journey" on Thursdays

This spirited gathering of believers is on Thursdays at 9:15 am in the Family Room (down the hall to the right, as you enter the main building.)

With something new to think about each week, come whenever you are available. Participants are encouraged to suggest topics for discussion.

Contact Pastor Brett for more information.

WFWA Update

From Merry G:

We have been busy at Western Farm Workers Association! Our new clothing Benefit Office, located at Hillsboro United Methodist Church, is up and running twice a month. This allows us to expand our distributions and more efficiently use the space at our business office in Hillsboro. The new office is being planned and run by our members.

At our annual Tamale Benefit in February we made 6,600 tamales in five days.  It was an amazing effort!

We also held an Optical Session with Kaiser Permanente in Tanasbourne, and about 100 members were able to have their vision tested and receive new prescription glasses free-of-charge. Three follow-up optical surgeries were donated to address more serious conditions for our members. Our next event will be an audiology session on March 9.

Thank you for your support! Call Merry at 503-840-7410 or the WFWA office at 503-681-9399 with any questions.

HomePlate Dinner

We will be serving dinner at HomePlate Youth Services on Thursday, Mar 14.

Our volunteers meet at First Congregational Church, 494 E Main St in Hillsboro, around 4:30 pm to cook and setup. We serve dinner to approximately 40-50 youth and clean up afterward. We finish around 8:30 pm.

Due to health department regulations, the food is purchased rather than prepared from scratch. We serve a main entree with a vegetarian alternative, vegetables, beverages, and dessert.

Volunteers and cash donations for the food are always appreciated! You may give online or at church; please indicate Outreach Ministries.

Contact Bonnie B for more information.

Directory, Take 2

Apologies!  The initial version of the directory, which came out two weeks ago, was missing mobile phone numbers for several people.  Corrected pages are available at church on the entryway table.

If you need a pdf copy emailed to you, please contact the church office at office@westsidejourney.org.

Stand Up for HomePlate

After 4 years, Stand Up for HomePlate is BACK! Enjoy a night of improv comedy benefitting Homeplate Youth Services at the Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro on Friday, Apr 12.

Tickets include heavy appetizers, a drink ticket, and a night of laughs.

HomePlate supports youth across Washington County experiencing housing instability. Washington County has the leading rate of youth homelessness in the state of Oregon, so the need for their services is essential.

Stand Up will raise money to meet the growing financial needs of programs and introduce people to the work and services that HomePlate provides youth in the community.

Purchase your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-for-homeplate-2024-tickets-795619046987?aff=oddtdtcreator

Help Needed!

Sandy is looking for a few folks to help on Thursday, Feb 22, at 9:00 am.

We are welcoming our new renters, Father’s House, by doing a one-time setup of chairs and tables in the Lighthouse for their use.

If you have a spare hour (or less, with enough people!), please drop by and help. Thank you!

#MeToo and the Church

Collective Healing PDX is hosting a FREE event #MeToo and the Church: Healing and Preventing Sexual Abuse on Saturday, March 2nd at 9am-12pm at West Hills Covenant Church.

Join Rowena Chiu (Harvey Weinstein Survivor and #MeToo Activist) and Rev. Dieula Previlon (Pastor, Trauma-Therapist, Author of “Does God See Me?” and CEO of ElevateHer International Ministries) as we center survivor stories, learn effective ways to support survivors, understand the complexity and complicity of the Church, and help prevent further sexual abuse. 

Register at https://westhillscovenant.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2120868