THIS SUNDAY: Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Aug. 2, 2020, Proper 13, and Zoom and in-person; Contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com
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Dear “Woke” Pilgrims,
To our friends who are not currently living in Portland, let me assure you that we are all well in Portland. And we are "woke" to the challenges facing the Rose City in particular, and the nation as a whole. Our prayers for the city and nation go on, without end.
Pastor Karen and I participated in a solemn Jewish ceremony at Portland City Hall on Wednesday evening, remembering our collective history as largely white privileged people in Portland and the good work of justice in the Black Lives Matter protests, and then walked over to the Justice Center and witnessed the called to action by leaders of Black Lives Matter. For some time, we stood (with 6-foot social distancing) next to a black family, children as well, who were recording it all. We left before the Federal troops came out at around 10:50 pm. The good news is that, as of last night (July 30, 2020), all was quiet around the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Building, now that the Federal troops are no longer there. The protestors policed themselves, and all was quieter, and the focus is now on Black Lives Matter.
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The Scripture focus this Sunday is on Matthew 14:13-21. The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000! How appropriate to remember and re-learn the steps that Jesus took to feed the masses, and that we have that same creative power to do the same: to feed the people, all the people, if we combine our resources. We are kind of living out this parable, as we saw with the actions taken with the Presbytery’s stimulus check: the two congregations brought some pots of money together, $2,000 to be exact, and this has, miraculously, now become over $7,000! And it will be used to feed the hungry, house the homeless, and provide care and comfort to those in need. Let us continue to live out the story of Jesus and the feeding of the 5,000! And join us Sunday to talk about the ways Jesus' vision of feeding the 5,000 and more continues to be a story of abundance and synergy in an age clinging to the scarcity paradigm.
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SnowCap is ready for us! It is time to let go of your 40 items of clothing from Lent, and we can take these items to SnowCap on either August 7 or 8! Let’s talk about how to get the clothes to Kathy and Brett this Sunday.
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While we are not meeting in person, the Community of Pilgrims will still welcome your financial contribution. Please make a check out to Community of Pilgrims, and mail it to Brett Webb-Mitchell, 9460 SW Martha St., Tigard, OR 97224. Many thanks!
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Again: The Presbytery of the Cascades chose to give $1,000 to churches and new faith communities to make a change in the world. We are joining up with the folks at Moreland Presbyterian Church, and with our combined stimulus checks, and other donations, we will support four groups: Street Roots, Emerge, Meals on Wheels, and Human Solutions! Let me, Brett, know if you would like to give to give more to this growing fund, and I will be sure that our funds are included. Currently, we have collected over $7,000!
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Events!
Aug. 2, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Aug. 9, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Aug. 16, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Aug. 23, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· The family of Ray Corwin who died July 19th. His family, friends, and former patients and colleagues remember him as a kind and loving person.
· Finding resolution to family challenges.
· Our city which has been damaged and for getting federal police out of here and other cities.
· Protests to stay on message of racial equality and to avoid violence.
· Continuing postal service.
· Those who have to go back to work in buildings.
· Students, teachers, and administrators.
· A vaccine.
· Countries which lack the infrastructure to deal with the pandemic.
· Celebrations for Linda who will celebrate her birthday August 9.
· Celebrations for our beautiful Oregon summer weather.
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Poem
When I Am Among the Trees, by Mary Oliver
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.