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JANUARY 2023
the messenger
Deacon's Message
On January 6th we celebrate Epiphany. The name of this feast day comes from the
Greek word epiphaneia, meaning to show or make known or reveal. January is often a
time of looking back – of “year in review” moments, of evaluating and celebrating all we
have tried and all we have learned and all we experienced in the year that has just drawn
to a close.
Collectively we will do some of that at our congregational meeting on January 8th. Our
annual report will guide us through a year of challenges, a year of celebrations, a year of
relationships held in love, a year of listening for and moving into where God has been
calling us to show up; to show up for each other and to show up for our neighbors. I
encourage you to take the time to read through the report(s); to hear the stories of how
we have lived into being the people of God in this time and place in 2022. Let these
stories stir up questions in you. Let them prompt you to share a word of gratitude for
how this congregation has accompanied you. Let the stories catch your interest and
curiosity for how you want to live into 2023. Looking back holds valuable lessons and
opportunities for appreciation, celebration, and revelation. As you review 2022, what is
God making known or revealing to you and to us collectively?
January is also a time of looking forward, of new year’s resolutions, of hopes and
intentions. Together on the 8th we will adopt a budget for the year to come. As you
prepare for that discussion, ask yourself what you see in our finances when you view the
budget as a faith statement. As you read reports of the ministries of this congregation, is
there a ministry you feel called to let go of or to step into? As we share with you at the
congregational meeting the assessment of our listening season, what is being revealed,
not only about who we are but who we are being called to become?
On Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas, we again celebrate that love has come. That we
see and experience Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us. And we hold fast to the knowledge
that wherever the next year takes us, God loves us and is with us, no matter what.
~ Deacon Bonnie
Transformed by God’s love for the world through Christ, we are sent to:
Build Community | Do Justice | Make Peace
PAGE 2 JANUARY 2023 St Mark's Food Pantry Update The Food Pantry is open every Friday from 2:00-5pm. Be sure to stop by! Enter the church through the parking lot on SE 54th Ave. Access the building through the covered walkway, next to the playground. Please bring your own bag(s) or box(es) if you're able. 2022 was a busy year for the St Mark’s Food Pantry. This past week we hit a record and served 116 families! We were well stocked with food, thanks to donations and two Thrivent grants Linda and Bob Olsrud got for the Pantry. (Thanks Bob and Linda!). If you are a Thrivent member you can sign up for two $250 grants each year. If you are interested check with Sally Durham for info on how to sign up for a grant. One of our volunteers had an interesting experience with one of our Food Pantry customers. The customer was homeless with limited cooking facilities. The volunteer was helping him pick out food and when they came to the peanut butter she let him know there was a limit of one per family. He pulled out a scarf he had and he asked if he could trade it for an extra jar of peanut butter. The volunteer immediately told him he was welcome to a second jar without giving us his scarf. Just an example of how in need many of our customers are. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered, donated food and money and prayed for us. --Sally, Madeline and Dolores-- A note from Linda Bergman Dear Central friends, I have been a member at CLC for over 20 years . As you know, I moved up past Sandy 7 years ago and have been driving in for church activities since then.In the last year I have realized that I need to be more a part of what is going on closer to home. I need to be a part of this area which is very different from Portland and I need to support the services and agencies here who serve my neighbors. This spring I transferred my membership to Trinity in Gresham and have been attending there and with you. It just seemed too hard to give up Central completely, but the time has come for me to fully engage here. I will no longer be attending worship at CLC. I will continue to serve the Banfield sandwich ministry (feeding people seems to be my thing). I will miss all of you. I thank you for the friendship, fun, support you have given me. You are wonderful people. All of my prayers go out to you. You have been a blessing. Peace, Linda Bergman
PAGE 3 JANUARY 2023
Central's Giving Tree Update Executive Team & Council
Under-and-on Central Lutheran's Advent 2022
Giving Tree were gift cards totaling $700, President - Janet Johnson; VP - Janis
to brighten the Nativity of the 60 Williams; Treasurer - Marit Finkle;
Ukrainian refugees recently arrived in Secretary - Karen Jolly; Council
Members: Paul Jolly, Chris Brown, Leo
Portland who are currently being settled
Tautfest, Amy Beadles-Bohling, Chris
by Lutheran Community Services Bekemeier, Sarah Carolus, Pax Stewart,
Northwest. Said the LCSNW worker who Leah Gilbert; Accounts Payable: Lauren
is distributing the cards amongst the new Isaac; Accounts Receivable: David
refugees: "Having been a refugee myself, Oyen & Peter Johnson
We do our best to serve you as a
struggling to make ends meet, I can tell
congregation. If you have any questions,
you these cards are a godsend. Thank concerns, or congratulations to share,
you for being so generous." please contact one of us directly.
Save the Date: Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting
January 8, 2023 - after worship
Please join us on January 8th after worship on site or online for our Semi-Annual
Congregational Meeting. The voting agenda will include consideration of a proposed budget for
2023, consideration of participation as a host site for Family Promise, election of Council
Members and Officers, and the election of Foundation Board Members. We will celebrate the
2022 Annual Report and hear more about ministries of our community as well as the ongoing
Listening Season. Please join us for this important meeting.
Go to fredmeyer.com/ Go to smile.amazon.com
communityreward Type in Central Lutheran Church in
Use Organization Number: NF838 Portland, OR to select your organization
PAGE 4 JANUARY 2023
Family Promise
Did you know that there were over 2,000 homeless
kids in the Portland Public School system last year?
What if we could do something to help stabilize
local families experiencing homelessness?
Maybe we can! We have a resource that is in short supply in the Portland area - warm,
dry, safe space and access to people who have a passion for loving their neighbor.
Deacon Bonnie has been in conversation with Family Promise since August, discussing
ways Central Lutheran might become part of this program of rotational shelter and
wrap-around supports that helps keeps houseless kids in school and houseless
families together. Central's Social Justice Coalition is on board and Central's Council
has voted to bring this to the congregation for a vote on January 8th.
What will we be voting on? The question to the congregation is if we will agree to
provide space in our building for overnight shelter for 3-4 families from 5:30p to
7:30am, 1 week at a time, 4 times a year.
What about regulations/insurance/liability? We have already passed inspection by the
fire marshal to host temporary overnight shelter in the indoor park area downstairs.
Our current insurance covers this type of ministry. Family Promise is its own non-
profit entity and carries insurance as well.
We're small- what about the volunteer demands? Family Promise needs 13 host
congregations and currently has 9. The biggest thing they need from us is space.
Space is something we have. Each host congregation is assigned two support
congregations who will provide the bulk of the volunteer power needed to support
the ministry. Family Promise has committed to not ask us to host until we have a full
support team. There will be volunteer opportunities for the people of Central but we
are not alone in this.
What about funds? Don't we need supplies? Yes! There will be opportunities for
Central to seek grant funding and other resources to enhance this ministry as we go.
And...up front Family Promise will give us a number of the items we need and we can
resource things like linens from the congregation until we have a sense of what items
will work best in our space.
Why this ministry and why now? There is an intersection between our neighbors'
extreme need and our underutilized resource. People are living in cars and tents and
we have a building that occupies 3/4 of a city block that we have committed to
Breaking Open for Jesus!
(Continues next page)
PAGE 5 JANUARY 2023
(Continued from Page 7)
I know the questions can go on and on. Take the time to explore the Family Promise
website linked above. Spend time in prayer, listening for how God might be calling you
to step up and into this ministry. Email me at deacon@centralportland.org with what
you are wondering as we consider this opportunity. I have lots more information I can
share. AND...please come on January 8th to vote on this question at the Congregational
meeting.
2022 Children's Christmas Pageant
PAGE 6 JANUARY 2023
Sunday Worship
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 984 1058 4982
Passcode: Hope
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 984 1058 4982
Passcode: 062839
Catchup or Livestream on
facebook.com/CentralLutheran
Council Member Thanks
As another year comes to a close we extend our
incredible gratitude those who have stepped forward
in service within our community. Amy Beadles-
Bohling, Chris Brown and Dave Brauer-Rieke have
Email from Central - You can choose
faithfully and carefully given of their time and talents.
how many emails you receive by
opting in to different groups. Visit Thank you for all that you have given to this
www.centralportland.org/email to community! As terms come to an end we honor your
subscribe. service and give thanks for your work. May your new
free time be richly blessed!
Giving Online is Easy!
Central provides a way for you to manage your giving online! Giving online is easy and allows you to
make a one-time donation or set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete
online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet or by using your smartphone.
Here’s how:
Open your browser and go directly to www.centralportland.org/gift
Or Visit the church website and click on the Donate button at the bottom of the home page.
Donate with either PayPal or with GivePlus by Vanco (same co. that operates Simply Giving)
Please contact Kevin C., Central Stewardship Chair, with any questions or concerns.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
We encourage you to make the most of our online meeting options this winter
as the weather changes to stay safe and lighten the work of our road crews.
PAGE 7 JANUARY 2023
Prayer Concerns
Name Prayer
Fraser R Ongoing health concerns.
Yayoo S Ongoing health concerns.
Faye B Faye's heart is working well.
Medical providers, Hospital For all those who continue to support our health system and all
staff, Essential workers & others who face increased risk to health from Covid-19.
all at heightened risk from
C19
Gary & Patti D. Continued healing for ongoing health challenges.
Ron R. For support and healing to help him in his fight against cancer.
Ruth S. Prayers for a sense of purpose while continuing to age with faith,
grace, and gratitude.
Kathy P. Love, comfort and peace and support for Kathy and her family
upon the death of her father Bill.
Friends and Family of Prayers of comfort following the death of Janet J’s mother, Charell.
Charell
Gerri W. For freedom from chronic pain and recovery from surgery.
Family & Friends of Leora Prayers of comfort following the death of Karen J’s mother, Leora
Family & friends of For comfort following the death of JD, for parents Maima & Joseph
Jonathan Dunbar and for all the family and friends as they grieve this tragedy.
Robert H. Prayers for the blessed effects of immunotherapy treatment as he
fights cancer.
Family & Friends of Ingrid Prayers of comfort following Ingrid’s death recently.
Strandholm
PAGE 8 JANUARY 2023
Ministry Assistants
JAN 1 JAN 8 JAN 15 JAN 22 JAN 29
ASSISTING PAX PAX PAX PETER GINNY
MINISTER STEWART STEWART STEWART JOHNSON FELDMAN
LAUREN CHRIS GINNY
LECTOR TBC TBC
ISAAC BEKEMEIER FELDMAN
PRODUCER TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC
ONSITE
TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC
USHER
COFFEE CHRIS
TBC TBC TBC TBC
HOSTS BEKEMEIER
COMMUNION PERSONAL
OTHER ASSISTANTS: PRAYER:
TBC CAROL
HULT
USHERS JANET
JOHNSON & GINNY
TBD TBD
Fancy trying something new on a Sunday?
LEONARD
ELLIS
FELDMAN
Why not consider signing up as a Lector (a reader), an onsite or
PETER OR
TELLERS LEN ELLIS & DAVID OYEN JEFF BETHKE &
online Usher, or training
LAUREN
as a Producer.
& JANIS
Contact
JANET the office for info.
NOAH
Lectors
ISAAC ushers canJOHNSON
& onsiteWILLIAMS also sign upGERLACH
online.
& CAROL HULT
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS: We sincerely apologize if we have missed your birthday or anniversary. Please call the church office with the correct date. 503-284-2331
Central Lutheran Church
1820 N. E. 21st Ave.
Portland, OR 97212
Change Service Requested
The Messenger is the monthly newsletter of Central Lutheran Church.
Sunday Worship at 10:15 A.M.
Our worship is firmly rooted in the liturgical tradition. We seek to proclaim and celebrate God’s love for the world
through diverse and inclusive music and language. We take community seriously -- including children and connecting
with the world around us. We are a place of welcome for all people. Central Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ
Congregation.
Ministers: All Baptized Members
Keyboardist/Music Support: Heidi Pierce
Pastor: Amanda Zentz-Alo (heidi@centralportland.org)
(pastor@centralportland.org)
Custodian: Klaus Ferguson
Council President: Janet Johnson (custodian@centralportland.org)
Deacon: Bonnie Beadles-Bohling Administrator/Building Use Manager: Vickie Schellert
(deacon@centralportland.org) (office@centralportland.org)
WWW.CENTRALPORTLAND.ORGYou can also read
