The Corvallis
United Methodist
The monthly newsletter of the First United Methodist Church, Corvallis, Oregon.
“A Reconciling Congregation”
March 26, 2015
Volume 61, Issue 4
Easter’s Coming!
Christ the
Lord is risen
today,
Alleluia!
s
n choru
i
n
e
v
a
nd he
!
Earth a
Alleluia
We are a Reconciling
Congregation that welcomes
everyone into full
participation in the life of this
church! Your age, sexual
orientation, gender identity,
racial or ethnic background,
economic situation, marital
status, and physical or mental
condition will enrich the
fabric of our community. We
accept all people as children
of God.
 
We are a congregation on a
journey to Sustainability,
recognizing that we are
stewards of God’s creation
for all generations, and
believing that all human
needs must be met equitably.
The Natural Step Framework
is our guide to Sustainability.
Raise your
joys and
triumphs
high,
Alleluia!
Sing, ye
heavens and
earth reply,
Alleluia!
say,
Holy Thursday
Journey with Jesus:
Last Supper through crucifixion
Thursday, April 2, 7:00 pm
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5
Sunrise on the steps
7:00 am
Celebrate with brass,
bagpipe, choir, and bells
9:30 am
Easter Egg Hunt following 9:30 am worship
Random Musings from Pastor Barbara
Some delightful things have been happening around FUMC since our last newsletter.
More than eighty of us signed up to wear the little purple bracelets, making promises to monitor our awareness of
violence in the world around us. There have been several interesting conversations that have arisen from this exercise,
but mostly I’ve simply appreciated your willingness to try something new – together!
We held a Town Hall Meeting that was attended by more than seventy people who came with genuine interest in our
incredible facilities. We learned about things that are happening or will be happening soon to keep our buildings and
grounds beautiful, welcoming and well-maintained. There will be so many ways to be involved in these efforts – indoors
and outside. Watch for opportunities to be part of these efforts. You are needed to bring these improvements to life!
Speaking of which – by the time this newsletter is in your hands, you will see some changes coming in the Library/
Gathering Area of the main floor at FUMC. The focus for now is on the WELCOME COUNTER (Information Counter).
We hope to catch the eye of visitors with a fresh and tidy space to receive information and find any assistance they may
need. You should know also that new energy efficient lighting and user-friendly, easy-care furniture is being selected for
the library. Informational bulletins boards for all ministry teams are being spruced up and located along the
COMMUNICATION CORRIDOR (education wing hallway). Ultimately, the whole main floor will have a fresh coat of
paint. The nursery and classrooms are all being updated is various ways as well. Questions about paint color? We’ve had
professional input and the colors chosen work beautifully with the permanent items in the library – the wood and stainglass windows. How are we paying for this? Many sources including memorial gifts, the Carol Raab gift and some
maintenance funds in the budget. If you are interested in adding to funds some of this work, see Jim Swinyard, Facilities
Manager.
In addition to these delights, the joy I find in working with staff and volunteers to create Sunday morning worship seems
to match the joy many of you have expressed in being here on Sunday mornings. Musicians, ushers, greeters, sound
techs, choir members, liturgists, communion stewards and preparers, flower and banner people, Bible Study students – I
feel so grateful for the involvement of so many caring people in making Sunday mornings at FUMC truly beautiful and
meaningful.
All of which is to say, we seem to be finding new life in so many fabulous ways – it truly feels like Easter at FUMC.
Thank you, God for your spirit among us. Amen.
email: [email protected] ~ phone: 208-991-8464
Movie Night
Sunday April 19 at 5:30
We will show the movie “Blue Gold: World Water Wars,” a film on international water issues
based on the book by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke. It covers four issues.
 large corporations buying up territories where large water supplies can be found
 the fight to protect the Great Lakes
 a powerful political family attempting to corner the market on water in Paraguay
 what ordinary citizens can do to keep the water supply free and shared fairly
This event is sponsored by the Natural Step Ministry Team. Room TBA.
Page 2
April 2015
Pick Your
Passion
Game Night
Friday, April 3 and Friday, April 17 game nights from 6:00-9:00 pm in the Martha Room (B19). Bring a favorite
board or card game to play. Drop in anytime; bring a snack to share, if you wish. Everyone welcome. Questions? Contact
Elizabeth Nielsen at [email protected] or 541.757.0057.
Amore Music Series Production
The next noon-time Amore Music Series Organ Concert is Wednesday, April 15, 12:15-12:45 pm in the Sanctuary.
Music for mechanical organs performed by Craig Hanson. Free but donations to support the series appreciated.
4F
The 4F group will take a tour of the Evergreen Air and Space Museums in McMinnville on Friday, April 17. Anyone
interested in joining us for this tour is welcome. Our tour will start at 2:00 pm. For those wanting to share a ride, please
contact Patty Sorem 541.757.7918 or the Joneses at 541.745.3802.
For those not participating in the tour, you are invited to join the Friday game night held in the Martha room that night.
I’m So Egg-Cited Easter
Egg Hunt
Workshop on
Investing
Sunday, April 5 following the 9:30 service.
Children fifth grade and younger.
Have you thought about the power of your
investments and their unintended consequences?
You are invited to attend a workshop on the topic
“Change the World: Investing for a Fossil Fuel
Free Future” Thursday, April 23, 6:00 pm,
Ecotrust Building in Portland. This event is being
put on by the Progressive Asset Management
Group of Financial West Group FINRA/SIPC,
the organization affiliated with the FUMC
Methodist Foundation Board’s financial advisor,
Celia Mueller. If you want more information, or
to carpool to the event, contact Marge Stevens
[email protected] .
The Easter Bunny came by today
and left surprises along his way.
Colorful eggs are all around.
With baskets in hand we search the ground.
Hiding in places here and there
Easter eggs are everywhere. ~ Author Unknown
Easter Egg Hunt Items
We are collecting wrapped candy, stickers and other goodies to
fill plastic eggs for the annual FUMC Easter Egg Hunt.
Donations may be left at the Welcome Counter (Information
Counter) on Sunday mornings or at the church office during the
week by Tuesday, March 31.
April 2015
Page 3
In Our
From General Board of Global Ministries...
Dear Friends in Mission: Thank you for your support of the
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Through the
Advance, the designated giving channel of The United
Methodist Church, 100 percent of your contribution will go to
Disaster Response, International, Advance #982450. Your gift
of $940 is quick response to meet emergency needs around the
world. This gift will bring hope to those who need it most.
From Bishop Thomas Bickerton, Imagine No Malaria
Chairperson...
Dear First UMC of Corvallis, Thank you for your generous gift
of $1,924 to Imagine No Malaria, a life-saving ministry that
aims to eliminate death and suffering caused by malaria in
Africa by 2015. Your generous gift will continue to fund
Imagine No Malaria’s four-pronged approach to eradicating
malaria by 2015: prevention, education, communication, and
treatment. Please pray for the success of this ministry and for
those suffering from malaria.
For Love and Money
Are you interested in serving the church on a team which meets
only four times a year and contemplates topics like legacy
endowments, socially responsible investing, and definitions of
fiduciary responsibility? Then you may be just the person we
are looking for. The FUMC Methodist Foundation Board has
added two positions, and we are seeking people to fill them.
There is a one year term, ending in December 2015, and a two
year term ending December 2016. If you are interested in
joining this auspicious group, please talk with Pastor Barbara or
Council Chair Nita Phillips
Page 4
Thoughts
&
Prayers
Madeline Fernandez, recovered from an emergency
appendectomy.
Judi French, recovering from surgery.
Patti McClintock, spending some time at Corvallis
Manor recovering from a stroke.
Tom McClintock, at Stoneybrook while Patti is at
the Manor.
Howard Wilson, who had a pacemaker installed.
Jim Maitland, after back surgery.
Sylvia Cardwell, doing rehab in Albany.
Remember: Gordon & Teca Greathouse,
Missionaries in Brazil
Welcoming New
Members
On April 12 during worship, we will be
welcoming new members into the life of our
church! If you are interested in being part of this
joyful event, please contact Pastor Barbara and
she’ll be glad to talk this over with you and
connect you with those who have already let her
know their intentions.
Mark your calendars now!
April 2015
Safe Sanctuary Training
A Safe Sanctuary training session will be held at the
Congregational Care meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2015,
11:30-1:30 in the chapel. This session will have an emphasis on
volunteering with vulnerable elder adults.
These classes are valuable in educating our volunteers in the
Safe Sanctuary policies of our church. Additionally, it educates
our volunteers in ways to ensure the safety of the vulnerable
populations with whom they interact, as well as, measures for a
safe and positive experience for our volunteers.
Financial
Numbers
February 2015 General Fund income: $39,890
February 2015 General Fund expenses: $48,474
YTD General Fund income: $63,639
YTD General Fund expenses: $88,415
To review the FUMC policy, please visit: http://
corvallisfumc.org/content/safe-sanctuary-policy.
Methodist Barebones
Basics
May 9, 10:00 am – Noon
Are you new to the United Methodist Church and want to know
a little more about what it means to be a UM, particularly what
it means in THIS congregation? Have you been a Methodist for
years and years but have forgotten what distinguishes us among
protestant churches? Are you simply curious about what Pastor
Barbara will highlight in a barebones 2-hour overview of our
tradition? Then you simply must come to this class. Watch for
sign-up opportunities after Easter.
May Newsletter
Deadline
Submission deadline for the May newsletter is April 20,
8:00 am — NO EXCEPTIONS. This is the normal deadline
for a newsletter that comes out the last Thursday of the month.
However, due to a few days off by the office manager, the May
newsletter will be out earlier, on Tuesday, April 28 instead.
April 2015
John Reed
Business Manager
Photo Directory
Photos for a new directory start
Tuesday, April 21 and go through
Saturday, April 25. Each family
making an appointment gets a
free 8x10 photo and copy of the
directory. Appointments still
available at the church website:
corvallisfumc.org. Or sign up on Sunday, April 12
or 19. For additional information, contact Kris
Graves, Valerie White, or Rebecca Marti.
Nonagenarians
One who is between the age of 90 and 99, inclusive.
One who is in his or her tenth decade.


Emery castle celebrating number 92 on
April 13.
Maxine Bown turning 94 on April 20.
Page 5
Special Offering
Sunday, April 19
Native American Sunday
One tribe in North America has told this story for centuries:
when people “pale as birch” crossed the great water in large
canoes, they brought with them “The Black Book.” However,
the bringers of the physical Book could not have known what it
would mean and look like to be Native and a follower of Jesus.
Today Native Americans—with many unique languages, many
unique cultures—honor their heritage, and live as Jesusfollowers, led by a rotation of primarily Native American
pastors.
When you support Native American Ministries Day, you equip
seminary students who will honor and celebrate Native
American culture in their ministries. And you empower
congregations that are finding fresh new ways to minister to
their communities with the love of Christ.
Summer Camp
What are your plans for summer? Summer
Camp! FUMC youth are encouraged to attend
Camp Magruder August 9-14! Shauna Holt, the
youth director, plans to attend as a leader and we
can all have a camp experience together! Please
reserve your spot by visiting gocamping.org.
Would you like help paying for camp?
Scholarships are available. You just have to ask.
Jamming
Volunteers needed for a one-time jamming
session to make FUMC new member welcome
gifts. Time TBA. Please contact Beverly Park
([email protected]) or sign
up on the Opportunities.
End of Life Planning:
Definitions,
Discussions, and
Decisions
Saturday, April 11, 2015, 9:00 am–noon
Register at 541.752.2491 or
[email protected]
Join our legal, medical, and spiritual panel in a workshop to get
the conversation started. Workshop materials will include a
glossary of terms and definitions, worksheets to help you
decide what your end-of-life care preferences are, a funeral
planning guide, and ideas on how to start the conversation with
your loved ones.
Page 6
April 2015
Vacation Bible School
July 20-24 (Monday-Friday)
Time: 9am – noon
Registration forms can be found on the church website. Early registrants will receive the G-Force music on CD.
Please prayerfully consider helping out this year. You don’t have to commit to the entire week – it’s okay to share! The
activities are simple to follow and prepare.
BEFORE VBS.
 Donate $$ for supplies (mark envelopes with VBS). We do not charge for our VBS, and there are supplies that
must be purchased.
 Create decorations. Backdrops, banners, signage. Lots of ideas provided!
 Prepare craft activities. Cut out parts, count out and assemble materials by day.
DURING VBS.
 Crafts. Prepare sample crafts for examples, lead children through craft activity. Materials provided.
 Bible Story. Coordinate actors and participate in the daily Bible story time. Scripts provided. No memorization
required, just a youthful spirit!
 Puppeteer. Checkers the Cheetah. Can be a teen or adult. Script provided. Skit to be done with Pastor Barbara.
No one can see you!
 Group leaders. Entering 6th grade or older. 2 people needed for each group of kids.
 Missions. Present a brief “missions moment” at the beginning or end of each day. This year we will be focusing
on the Room at the Inn women’s shelter.
Can you help? Please call Alicia Straub at 541.757.2049 or email at [email protected]

The great thing about getting older is that
you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.
April 2015
Page 7
A Celebration of Caring
for God’s Gift of Creation
Our Green Moment on Sunday, March 8 was given by Marge
Stevens and focused on our church’s involvement in the Blue Sky
Program. It is a program of Pacific Power which purchases
renewable energy certificates from newly developed renewable energy facilities. For more information and to sign up, go
to www.pacificpower.net/env/bsre.html. Our survey this month asked about other ways that our church reduces its
environmental impact. Composting was noted 15 times. Recycling and use of CFL light bulbs were noted 10 times each.
Cloth napkins was noted six times. Some other items noted included native plants, ceramic mugs for coffee hour,
availability of recycling bulletins, plants requiring less water, compostable plates for some events, no pesticides/
herbicides, and cutting down on paper by electronic newsletters and statements. There are several other things our church
is doing that you may not be aware of. These include, to mention a few, LED parking lot lighting and plug in station for
electric cars, a new more efficient heating system, earth friendly carpeting, development of a waste management plan,
and an FUMC Foundation vote in favor of fossil fuel divestment.
A Natural Step Congregation
Our April survey will ask about disposable water bottle usage
April 26 Water & Care for Creation Event
We will be hosting a Water and Care for Creation event at the church on Sunday, April 26, 2:00-5:00 pm. Dr. Brenda
Bateman from the Oregon Water Resources Department, our key note speaker, will share information about the state’s
strategic water plan. This will be followed by breakout sessions with speakers from the Sustainability Coalition water
action team, OSU Water Resources Department, and the Benton Soil and Water Conservation group. We will conclude
the event with a time of sharing led by the Rev. Ann Bateman. Please join us for an informative afternoon and bring a
friend!
Reconciling Ministries
Team
The Reconciling Ministries Team is reorganizing and looking
for new participants. Our long-standing commitment has been
to welcome those from the GLBT community into our
congregation AND to stand with them in matters of public
rights and concerns. This commitment continues but we are
also working to expand our understanding of welcoming ALL.
If you have thoughts about how to be more affirming of those
with disabilities, those released from prison, those of minority
status and others who often feel less than welcome in the world,
please contact Beverly Park or Pastor Barbara. A meeting will
be announced in May.
Page 8
April 2015
Youth
Activities
Recurring Events:
Homework club
grades 4-12
Tuesdays, 5:00-5:30 pm, room 119
Middle School Sunday Un-School
grades 6-8
Sundays, 10:30-noon, room 118
Middle school youth AND
grades 6-12
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm (8pm on Building Better
Moms night), room 218/219
High school youth
What’s Happening in
Palestine/Gaza/Israel?
Why Is It Important to Us as World Citizens
Our local church has been taking on this daunting subject, one that will be
addressed at our church’s Annual Conference in June and our denomination’s
General Conference in 2016 in Portland, Oregon. In an attempt to help us become
better informed, we are hosting the concluding four April sessions following Easter. Each session begins at 10:45 am,
but note the various locations below.
(Background: We began a 3 week session in March discussing the DVD “Little Town of Bethlehem” focusing on a
Palestinian Christian, a Palestinian Muslim and an Israeli Jew before 1947 and afterwards, and how their lives have
changed now.)
April 12: Rev. Tim Stover, discussions. Changes in American Evangelical Christians? Christian Zionism? Influence of
American money? Sojourners article, March 2015. (Chapel/B02)
April 19: Maya Rotem, now living in Portland. An Israeli Jew, she only discovered the nature of the Israeli military
occupation of Palestine after graduating from high school; became active in resistance and organizing Palestinians. A
member of Students United for Equal Rights and the Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). (Martha Room/B19)
April 26---Rev. Diane Dulin & husband Tom Beilman, Salem. Session on BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment,
Sanctions); providing information on background, goals, rationale, accomplishments and future of BDS movement to
support justice for Palestine people. Diane is Director of Church Participation for Kairos USA and Tom heads up the
Portland SodaStream Boycott effort. (Chapel/B02)
May 3: Jan Nelson, Salem. Jan is a member of our Conference and chair of Methodist Federation for Social Action
(MFSA). She will share her heart-warming and heart-breaking experiences in her trip to Palestine in March with eight
other UM Oregonians. (Martha Room/B19).
April 2015
Page 9
stamp
First United Methodist Church
A Reconciling Congregation
1165 NW Monroe Avenue
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone:
541.752.2491
Fax:
541.752.3636
E-mail:
[email protected]
Web site: www.corvallisfumc.org
Sunday Worship: 9:30 am
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday:
9:00-4:00; closed noon-1:00
Friday:
9:00-noon
address label
Barbara Nixon, Pastor
Tim Stover, Campus Minister
Nursery Care is available.
Church building is accessible.
Our Mission
Our mission is to bring people into a living
relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, that
we might love the world as God Loves the world.
Newsletter Deadline:
April 20, 2015
for the May
Newsletter.
Page 10
April 2015