CONNECTIONS
UPUMC
.
• No children’s Sunday School on December 25 or January 1.
• Supper and Movie on Wednesday, January 4.
• New Year’s Day Food and Games, today, Noon, Errol Stephenson Hall.
• Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, January 8.

THE LARGER CHURCH
• Metro District Leadership Event, Saturday, January 21, 9am-3pm, Portland First UMC, 1838 SW Jefferson. This event is open to everyone and church officers are especially encouraged. If we register by Jan. 10, the fee for the day, including lunch, is $10.
• The grand opening of the Tualatin Heritage Center (former Methodist church) has been rescheduled to Saturday, Feb 11. at 1-4 p.m. because of construction delays.

THE COMMUNITY
• Portsmouth Neighborhood Association Forum, Tuesday, January 3, 7pm, Columbia Cottage.

FUTURE EVENTS, FOR YOUR CALENDAR
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.

SERVICE OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN IRAQ
On Jan. 22, 2006, a Service of Prayer for Peace with Iraq, the first of five interfaith peace services, will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Avenue, Portland. The service is scheduled for 4 p m. Sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and a number of peace fellowship groups in the Metro Area. For information, contact Augustana Lutheran at 503-288-6174 or EMO at 503-221-1054.

CARING ENOUGH TO INVITE
“Studies indicate that 80% of unchurched Americans say that no one has ever invited them to church. We may think we have invited them because we have signs outside our churches, we have ads in the yellow pages, and we may even send flyers around the community. But unchurched people say that no one has cared enough to invite them personally. Over half of those unchurched Americans say that if someone ever did invite them, then they would probably go to church.� – Bishop Michael J. Coyner, Indiana Area, United Methodist Church.


UPDATE ON JEANNE’S SURGERY

As most of you know, Jeanne had surgery on her left knee on December 27. She had anticipated needing to use a passive motion machine 8 hours a day for a month and then a period of no weight bearing for another two months after that. The good news is that the doctor found a torn medial meniscus. This has been repaired and she is allowed to bear weight as she can. She is healing well and is doing what the doctor has told her to do. She is resting and is taking the time she needs to heal.

PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVERS STILL NEED HELP
A recent survey by UN agencies noted that there is still a need for some 2.4 million more blankets, 170,000 plastic sheets, and 200,000 tarpaulins to provide adequate winter shelter for earthquake survivors. These were just a few of the material needs identified in the survey results. Nutritional, medical, and psychological needs were also recognized. UMCOR partner, Church World Service, is working to alleviate suffering by working in tent communities of survivors, providing shelter, psychosocial care, and food. Your gifts to UMCOR Advance #232000, Pakistan/Kashmir Earthquake, will support their efforts.

CREATING A CULTURE OF PEACE: THREE-DAY WORKSHOP
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and the Peace & Justice Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon will present a creative peacemaking non-violence retreat Mar. 10-12 at St. David of Wales Episcopal Church, 2800 SE Harrison St., Portland. The retreat is open to all and will introduce the non-violence principles of Jesus of Nazareth, Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. and others. The retreat is based on a curriculum of the spirituality and practice of transformative non-violence.

The Creating a Culture of Peace retreat will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. A commitment to attend the entire retreat is required. The retreat's holistic approach is directed toward non-violent personal, interpersonal and social transformation based on a curriculum developed by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and inspired by the Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service.

The cost of the retreat will be on a sliding scale to $150 maximum. Lunches, snacks and materials are included in the fee. Please register by Mar. 1 by calling Marla McGarry-Lawrence or Leslie Sackett at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 503-284-7141 or by email to Download a poster here.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
The General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns encourages you to observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from Jan. 18-25, 2006. Communities across the world will come together in celebration of our unity in Christ and UMs are a central part of this celebration. The week of Prayer for Christian Unity was initiated in 1908 and has evolved through the years into a major ecumenical observance. The 2006 theme is “Where Two or Three Are Gathered in My Name� (Matthew 18:15-22). Free materials are available from Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute. The website is www.geii.org.

A WORD OF THANKS
Many thanks to “A Friend� who has given us 4 brand new coffee pots. Thanks to Harriet Bonhorst, also, who gave us 2 coffee pots that she no longer needs.

A GREAT NEW YEAR’S DAY: WORSHIP, A MEAL, SNACKS, GAMES AND GOOD CONVERSATION, HERE ON JANUARY 1. PLEASE STAY!

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