CONNECTIONS
THIS WEEK AT UPUMC
• Trustees meet Tuesday, January 17 at 7pm.
• Wednesday Dinner and Movie will continue on January 11 at 6:30 for dinner and 7pm for the next episode of Joan of Arcadia. There will be soup and bread provided.

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. 15, the fee for the day, including lunch, is $10.

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.
• Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia episodes, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, weekly.
• Overeaters Anonymous, Wednesdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm.


FUTURE EVENTS, FOR YOUR CALENDAR


Service of Prayer for Peace with Iraq will be held Jan. 22, 2006, at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Avenue, Portland at 4pm. It will be the first of five interfaith peace services 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.

MFSA's Annual Spring Event will be held Saturday, Mar. 4, beginning at 9 a.m. at Portland First UMC. The featured speaker is the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and the theme is "Faithful Witness in a Troubled World." Cost for the event, which includes lunch, is $25.

Emerging Church Learning Party: A Hitch-hiker’s Guide. A new movement called the “emerging church� is making a major impact on the landscape of North American Christianity and around the world. Find out what “emerging church� is about, and its significance for re-shaping church and mission in today's culture. The Learning Party is Feb. 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., hosted at Sts. Peter and Paul Episcopal Church, 8147 SE Pine Street, Portland, and includes, talks, panels, small group Q and A, lunch and two emerging worship experiences. If you have questions, contact the Rev. Kurt Neilson at 503-254-8168. Cost is $23-$33.

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.

WORD OF EDNA RIDDLE
Edna Riddle is continuing to recover from surgery after breaking her left hip on September 24. She can now bear 50% of her weight. She is progressing well, but, as she has said, “It takes time.� She will see her orthopedist again at the end of January. 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

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

The following is from the e-newsletter from the General Board of Church and Society:
Stop the Killings - U.M. Delegation Decries Killings of Church Workers in Philippines
The United Methodist Church delegation on Human Rights in the Philippines gathered in Manila last week out of concern for the growing numbers of killings and assassinations in recent months of church workers, human rights defenders, journalists, justice advocates and others, and demanded that the killing stop.

Update on Legislation About Torture - United Methodist Voices are Heard
United Methodist advocates decrying torture came through loud and clear. On December 21, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly – 308 to 122 – to support Sen. John McCain's ban on torture...

House Proposes Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act of 2005 - Bill to enhance family planning resources will help make up shortfall
U.S. funding for family planning would be increased if the newly-introduced Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act of 2005 is adopted by the U.S. Congress.

Congress Authorizes Trafficking Protection - Bill will fund measures to combat modern day slavery
On December 21, 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act which will provide $361 million over the next two years to combat human trafficking in the world.

Recess Appointment for Sauerbrey - Candidate, Opposed by GBCS, Installed Over Christmas Break
GBCS opposed the appointment of Ellen Sauerbrey, former contender for Maryland Governor, as Assistant Secretary of State for Refugees, Population and Migration due to her lack of experience.


Elements of Discipleship
by Jeff Jones
What needs to be part of the life of a person in order to grow as a disciple? The following list might give all of us some guidance.

.Discipleship Assessment Tool for Individuals
Reflect back on the last several weeks and answer each of these questions. After you have completed them, note the areas of significant involvement as well as those in which you have done little recently. Then, make plans to enhance the weaker areas of your own growth as a disciple.
* How has deepening been a part of my life these past weeks?
* In what ways have I grown in my relationship with Christ?
* In what ways have I become more aware of myself as a person—my strengths, my weaknesses, my struggles, my fears, my hopes, the temptations I face, the risks I avoid, the challenges I undertake?
* In what ways have I developed a stronger community in which to share my own faith journey and encourage the journeys of others?
* What can I do to enhance my own deepening?
* How has equipping been a part of my life these past weeks?
* Have I discovered new gifts or used old ones in new ways?
* How is my call being lived out? Is it still vital? Am I sensing a new call?
* What have I learned that is important to my living as a disciple?
* What skills have I acquired or improved that increase my ability to live as
a disciple?
* What can I do to enhance my own equipping?
* How has ministering been a part of my life these past weeks?
* In what ways is the leadership role I play my ministry?
* In what other ways am I living out my discipleship—at home, in the church, at work, and in the community?
* How has my involvement in ministering strengthened my life as a disciple?
* What can I do to enhance my own ministering?


Source: Alban Weekly © 2006 The Alban Institute, Inc

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