OUR || PROGRAMS The Ministry
| The Ministry |
 |
 |
 |
|
Meet Our Ministers Click to see photos and read bios of our ministerial team. Also on this page: Check the Electronic UU Job Board Our Lay Ministry Program Caregiver Support Group A Note About Parish Concerns/In the Community If you are experiencing a joy or sorrow, or if you are aware of someone in the congregation who might benefit from ministerial contact, please let us know. An e-mailbox has been created specifically for joys and sorrows: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This mailbox is monitored by the minister on parish duty, and the convener of the lay ministers. When you submit a joy or sorrow, tell us how best to reach you (or the person you are bringing to our attention). Also, state if this information may be announced to the church community, or if it is for the minister’s eyes only. In the Community Recent Parish Joys and Concerns Member Ellen Bailey has been recuperating from a mini-stroke at the Marquis Care Facility in N. Portland during the month of January. She appreciates the cards and notes she has received and reports that there seems to be no lasting effects from the event. Ellen hopes to return home on Feb. 4. She is a member of Chalice Choir and the Alliance. Thomas Amara, husband of Gail Amara, underwent surgery Tuesday night, Jan. 31, to relieve head pain caused by a sub-dural bleed of moderate severity. He is healing but still not well enough to receive calls. He welcomes cards and prayers. Please contact the church office for his address. Member Frank Chestnut, who had open heart surgery on Jan. 20, has been released from Portland Adventist Hospital and is now receiving care at Laurelhurst Village Rehabilitation Center. He can take visitors now and cards are welcome. Laurelhurst Village is located at 3130 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214.Member David Stewart died Tuesday morning, Jan. 24. He had just moved into hospice care and died peacefully. Our prayers and love go to his partner Grace Taylor and their two children, 6-year-old Lillie and 3-year-old James, both participants in our Learning Community. The memorial service will be Saturday, Feb. 18, at 10:30 a.m. in the Eliot Chapel. We grieve with our community over the loss of David Odom who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Jan. 14. David was an arborist for Friends of Trees and a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. His memorial service will take place on Monday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. at the World Forestry Center.Elizabeth Riley, mother of member Christine A. Riley, grandmother of member Beth Webber, and great grandmother of newborn Hazel Webber, died on Jan. 18, at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, Calif. She finally lost her life to a fourth recurrence of cancer at age 88. She had a wonderful life and died peacefully with her 5 children at her side. Hazel's birth (announced two weeks ago) makes a meaningful circle of life. Evadne Hilands, a long time member who was active in the Alliance and also responsible for preserving much our our First Unitarian Church history, died Monday, Jan. 16, surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Terwilliger Plaza starting at 4 p.m. Member Lee Fawcett died Jan. 10, after struggling with Parkinson’s disease. Lee served the church in many ways, including serving as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees. There will be a memorial service for Lee on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 4 p.m. in Eliot Chapel. We hold Rita Fawcett and the whole family in this time of loss. Member Autry Powell, wife of Jim Powell and mother of Todd, David, Elizabeth and Richard Powell died on Jan. 9, of Parkinson’s Disease. Autry, age 86, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away. A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. in the Eliot Chapel. Grace Sanderson Weisel, mother of member Sanderson d’Salix, died Jan. 7 at Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Sanderson writes: “Although she had had a series of health problems over the last couple years, the stroke came without much warning. At 82, her spirit for life was much greater than her tiny and frail body would suggest. She’ll be greatly missed.” Drew Ann Slegers was born to Jan and Sarah Slegers on Friday, January 6. She was born Caesarian, six weeks early, weighed in at 4 lbs 6 ozs., and was 19” long. Grandparents, Mark and Carol Slegers are delighted and thankful that mom and their new granddaughter came through the birth without unforeseen complications. Member Maggie Quintana’s mother, Joan Miller, died on Dec. 21—eight days shy of her 92nd birthday—of a stroke after living with Alzheimer’s for many years. Maggie has served on the Religious Education Committee for many years. Members Jason and Beth Webber are pleased to announce that Hazel Christine Webber was born on Dec. 27, 2011. She is nine pounds zero ounces, and 20 and 1/2 Inches long. Beth and Hazel are doing GREAT! Hazel is also the first granddaughter of member Christine Riley. Robert Hansen, father of member Chris Hansen, suffered a stroke on Dec. 29 and remains in ICU at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. Chris, his wife Amelia and their family appreciate prayers and good thoughts. Randall Lesley, son of Randy Lesley, died on Dec. 15, at the age of 31. His death was unexpected and came as a result of inhalant abuse, known by many as “huffing.” Losing a child is one of the worst losses one can suffer, so let us hold Randy and his family in our thoughts and prayers. Gertrude Roselyn, age 93, beloved mother of member Lily Roselyn, died Dec. 24 at home in Millbrae, Calif.
Electronic UU Job Board Lay Ministry Program As a faith community we strive to provide caring and support for those experiencing difficult times in their lives. These might include a spiritual crisis, loss of a loved one, an illness, a difficult life transition. Our ministers are available for pastoral care, to contact a minister, send a message to the church office: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We also have a team a lay ministers who offer support through difficult times. Lay Ministers are church members who offer one-to-one caring and support to fellow church members in times of need, including:spiritual crisis;major life changes, such as the loss of a loved one, loss of employment, divorce or retirement;isolation because of age, mobility problems, or for other reasons;health problems, illness or hospitalization; other personal life changes. The Lay Ministry Program is not intended to replace the role of our church ministers or professional counselors. Its intention is to support the pastoral work of the ministerial staff, to be with members during times of need, and to help build a stronger church community.What are the helping and supporting activities of the Lay Ministers? Lay Ministers are available to talk by phone or to meet with church members in their homes or in the hospital if so desired. Lay Ministers may offer support to church members in any of the following ways, depending on the wishes of the member: --being present with the member;offering an opportunity for talk;offering empathy and emotional support; offering prayer – silent and spoken; --offering referral to other sources of help. The Lay Ministers are volunteers. They are trained lay persons, committed to understanding, spiritual awareness, compassion, open-mindedness and integrity. Interactions with a Lay Minister are confidential. How do church members in need arrange for help? Members may call the church office at 503-228-6389. A minister or a Lay Minister Coordinator will be notified immediately. Generally, church members may expect a telephone call from a Lay Minister within 24 hours. How might I become a Lay Minister? A new group of lay ministers is chosen and trained every few years. Applicants are chosen by a selection committee. If you are interested in serving as a lay minister, contact the church office. We are here for you. Care and Concerns Program In addition to spiritual support, we offer the practical support of meals and rides to the doctor or to church. A caring team of congregants has volunteered to help with this effort and they are coordinated through the lay ministry program. If you could use this support please contact the church office. Parish Concerns On Sundays we make announcements about milestones in the lives of our congregants. We acknowledge deaths of congregants or close family members, illnesses, marriages and births. To be mentioned in parish concerns contact the church office or after hours contract the lay minister on call, or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Caregiver Support Group |