CONNECTIONS
UPUMC
• Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia, Wednesday, December 14, 6:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall.
• Staff-Parish Relations Committee, 6:30pm, Monday, December 12, Errol Stephenson Hall.
• Administrative Council meets Monday, December 12, 7:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall. Includes adoption of budget for 2006.
• Outreach Committee meets Tuesday, December 13, 7:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall.
• Caroling and Cocoa, Thursday, December 22, 6pm.
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 11pm, December 24.
• Christmas Morning Lessons and Carols, Rev. Dick Burden, 10am, December 25.
• New Year’s Day Food and Games, Sunday, January 1, Noon, Errol Stephenson Hall.

THE LARGER CHURCH
A Victorian Christmas With John Doan, sponsored by Christ the Reconciler UMC. 7:00 PM, Saturday, December 17, 2005, Sunnyside Grange Hall, 13289 SE 132nd Adults $15, Seniors and Children $12.

THE COMMUNITY
• Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Holiday Serenade, Saturday, December 17 at 8pm or Sunday, December 18 at 2pm. Kaul Auditorium at Reed College. Call 503-226-2588 or www.pdxgmc.org for more information.

FUTURE EVENTS, FOR YOUR CALENDAR
• Metro District Leadership Event, Saturday, January 21, 9am-3pm, Portland First UMC, 1838 SW Jefferson.
WEEKLY AT UPUMC
• Choir practices Sundays at 9:30am, Tuesdays at 6:00pm, Sanctuary.
• Men’s Group, Tuesdays, 10am, Narthex.
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Narthex, Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm, weekly.
• Morrison Child and Family Center, Wednesdays, 4-6, weekly.
• Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia episodes, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, weekly.
• Overeaters Anonymous, Wednesdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm.

THE NURSERY IS STAFFED DURING WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN SCHOOL AGE. SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE INVITED INTO THE SANCTUARY UNTIL THE ‘PASSING OF THE PEACE’; THEN THEY GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Who doesn’t like to watch children acting out the Christmas story? On Sunday, December 18, during the morning worship service, the children’s Sunday School class and the choir will carry us back to times of Mary and Joseph, childlike lambs and angels and shepherds keeping watch over their sheep by night. No doubt there will be gifts for all the children and treats and good cheer for everyone present. Do plan to come, to participate in simple joys, to invite any children that you would like to bring.

PLEASE DON’T GO HUNGRY. WE HAVE FOOD IN OUR PANTRY, LOCATED IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO ERROL STEPHENSON HALL, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.

WORD OF EDNA RIDDLE
Edna Riddle is continuing to recover from surgery after breaking her left hip on September 24. She can now use her walker to get around, although she can’t put more than 20-40 pounds of weight on her left foot, so she hops in the walker. Edna said, when I asked her what she might want to tell the congregation, “I seem to be improving and it just takes time.� She will see her orthopedist again on December 28. Edna is keeping her spirits up and enjoys visits and notes. You can reach her at Crestview Nursing, Room 64; 6530 SW 30th Ave.; Portland OR 97239; 503-892-3128.--Jeanne
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Plan to go Christmas caroling on Thursday, December 22. We will gather in Errol Stephenson hall at 6pm for a simple chili dinner, travel to 4 or 5 homes of members in North Portland to carol, and return to Errol Stephenson Hall for cookies and cocoa. Bring your warm wraps, musical instruments or voices, and a love for singing together and plan to have a wonderful time. Please let Betty Cruson know [home phone is 503-735-2604] if you plan to attend.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
The songs of Christmas, classic and contemporary readings, a message of hope, and everyone gathered in candlelight to sing “Silent Night�, followed by fellowship, hot cider and holiday breads and treats—if this is your cherished ending to Christmas Eve, do join us at 11pm on December 24 in the sanctuary. Everyone is welcome to this service when we recognize and celebrate the rebirth of the Love of God amongst us.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND FAITH
FROM BISHOP ROBERT T. HOSHIBATA

Dear Members and Friends of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference,

At our recent Conference Leadership Team meeting, our Conference Treasurer had uplifting news. I want to share that news with you because it is important and encouraging information for us all. This good news also comes with a challenge. The past several years have found our annual conference facing financial difficulties in both local congregations and at the conference level. The good news from the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) is that if all goes as well as we hope during the rest of the month of December, we should end 2005 in a much healthier financial position than we projected!

We appreciate the prudence of the CFA in implementing a reasonable spending plan to carefully monitor our expenses. This has contributed to our positive position. But the great news is largely due to your faithfulness and your continuing belief in and support of our local churches and their ministries. This accomplishment comes even with a generous outpouring of love and prayers along with material and monetary gifts for hurricane and earthquake victims. As of this date, the Conference Treasurer reports that our local churches have contributed over $705,000 to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for disaster relief.

I am writing to thank you for your generous giving not only to disaster relief through UMCOR but also for your continuing generosity to your local churches. I know that we United Methodists are spirit-filled people who give from their hearts. I am confident that you will continue your Christ-centered giving with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service to your local church and to the annual conference.

Now, here is the challenge. We need your support so that local churches and our annual conference might end the year 2005 in a positive financial position. Share the need with your congregation and ask them to give generously to your local church knowing that this will help support your portion of our shared ministry (apportionment) needs. Remember that both the local church and the annual conference benefit from the full payment of all your apportioned items.

Some churches have already paid 100% or better. To these churches, I offer my appreciation. Other churches are on target to reach 100% payment by the end of the year and I am grateful for their efforts. I ask those of you who are unable to pay your apportionments in full to do your very best so that we can all claim our part in helping the annual conference and the local churches move toward greater financial health as we move into the new year.

In these next few weeks, I hope and pray that you will sense the Spirit of God in your life as we all prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Christ in our midst. And as we do so, let us respond to God’s gift in Jesus Christ with generous hearts.

In Christ’s shalom,

Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata

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