From Big News to Difficult Discussions, God is in it All
Spring Newsletter is in the Mail,
Big News May be Around the Corner
The InFaith: Northwest Oregon Spring Newsletter is in the mail. If you or anyone you now would like to be added to the mailing list, click this link to sign up. You can also download the newsletter electronically at that same location. This quarter’s publication discusses healing and thriving in small congregations. And it hints about a major project InFaith hopes to launch in 2021, offering even more assistance to local churches looking forward to what the Lord has planned for them. That project would be largely dependent upon a grant from a private endowment. Thanks to help from Brad Gentry, Glenn Daman, and Jean Andreozzi (from InFaith Home Office), we were able to complete a detailed project proposal and submit it to the granting committee last week. We should know their decision some time this fall. Thanks also to Sunday School Fellowship, Village Missions and InFaith Field Director Jim VanVoorst for their wonderful letters of recommendation. Pray that God opens His storehouses for us to move forward together on this project, starting in January 2021.
Garfield Community Church has Re-opened Its Doors
It was good to worship with the folks of Garfield Community Church on Sunday, as they celebrated together again for the first time since March 15. I was honored to speak from Mark 12, and board chairman David Allinger was careful to make sure the congregants maintained 6 feet between separate families. 😊 I will be speaking again at Garfield on the 8th and hope to meet with their board later this month to discuss next steps in the church’s recovery from recent events. God is good!
Sandy Area Pastors Breakfast, June 17th 9 a.m. at TOLLGATE INN…Maybe.
The Tollgate Inn in Sandy has re-opened and now it’s up to us to decide. Can we safely get together for our regular time of food and fellowship? Or should we do one more month of Zoom conference? I would like your feedback. Tollgate says they can accommodate a group of eight at one table, but then all others would have to sit at a separate table, a safe distance away. Our average was probably about 8 in the past, but we have had larger groups show up. Who is up for breakfast out?
Portland Area Pastors Prayer, June 18th at 10 AM at Woodland Park Chapel
We know that Woodland Park Chapel is open for our monthly prayer time. Please come join us in this important time talking with the Lord together. If Multnomah county move forward with lifting some COVID precautions, we may just be able to go out to lunch together afterward. Wouldn’t that be nice, Steven Boyle?
Please Continue in Prayer for Marilyn Patton
Pastor Steven Boyle says Marilyn, the Columbia Community Bible Church treasurer, was rushed to a hospital again this weekend. She has been suffering from complications from a fall earlier this spring, and from some pre-existing conditions. Please remember her and her husband Ron in your prayers.
Cleanup at Glendoveer Chapel is still scheduled for June 13 at 8 AM
The sale of the property to a new congregation is moving a little more slowly than anticipated, but it will help to have the facility ready for whatever the Lord has in store. Thanks to Brad Gentry, Merle Davis and Jim VanVoorst for volunteering to help out on that work day. (I have been given a couple other names…but I will wait until they volunteer themselves before I put it in writing.) Many blessings to all of your for your assistance.
Difficult Discussions
As we talk with our friends and congregations about the trouble in our country right now, triggered by the heartbreaking killing of an unarmed man in police custody, I know it will be difficult to have the right words, especially as anger burns within us and around us, and as fear grips our communities. But as men and women of God, we need to stand for both for justice and for mercy (Micah 1:8), as we humbly walk alongside others who are struggling to sort out their own understanding of what the brokenness of sin is doing to our society. Realize that you and others may mis-speak or mis-understand as you walk together through emotionally-charged discussions. But have the discussions, in order to listen and learn, console and comfort. We all must listen with grace and give room for growth as we seek God’s wisdom. As James, the brother of Jesus wrote: “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
May God bless you as you seek His face.
Tom Hiscox, NW Oregon Area Missionary
David Allinger opens the May 31 worship service at Garfield Community Church.