News & Events

Update on Julia West project:

Posted on () by Kim Hill

A task group from our church has been working toward redevelopment of the church’s Julia West site, seeking funding to build low-income housing with supportive services on site. We have recently had news that the State of Oregon’s Oregon Housing and Community Services agency (OHCS) will be issuing a funding round in the Spring of 2021, and Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) will be issuing a bond funding round by the end of this year. The developer with whom our church is working, Community Development Partners, have let us know that both look promising for the Julia West project. Thanks for your continuing interest and prayers for the next chapter of Julia West’s life! [...]

WOW! The Impact of NEFP & a Call for Volunteers

Posted on () by Kim Hill

Since mid-February and the start of COVID, NEFP has fed over 250,000 people and delivered over 6 million pounds of food! And FPC volunteers have been part of that success. Volunteer with us! To sign-up for a volunteer shift https://tinyurl.com/NEFPVolunteer Questions? Contact Bill Resley kayak500@gmail.com [...]

Open Circle Support for the Rose Haven Shelter

Posted on () by Kim Hill

The Rose Haven Day Shelter for Women and Children continues to serve the needs of those experiencing the trauma of abuse, loss of home, and other disruptive life challenges. Current needs are: (new or gently used) Women’s plus-size tops, athletic shoes (sizes 7-9), leggings (sizes large & up), jeans (size 22), women’s underwear (sizes 5-6), ankle socks, hygiene kits, body wipes and hair care products for Black Women. Men’s briefs and boxers (new), ankle socks. And sleeping bags, tents, tarps, rolling luggage (new only). The updated list of the Shelter’s needs and the donations drop-off schedule is posted each Monday: http://www.rosehaven.org. Donations can also be dropped off at the church from 10 am- 2 pm on Tuesdays through September at the 13th avenue doors or contact Cindy Finch cindyloufinch@yahoo.com. [...]

FPC Calvin Library: Request Books by Email

Posted on by Kim Hill

If you are looking for your next good book check out the church library online at https://fpcp.scoolaid.net/bin/home. Search by title, author or subject just like the public library. Try a few keywords to see what we have. How about prayer, or justice, or women? Consider checking out several books and don’t forget to add a few for children. Send your request by email to Bette at pdxbookworm@gmail.com. Your books will be checked-out, placed into a brown bag ready for pick-up at the glass office entry of the church. You will receive an email letting you know of pick-up times. We will try to make turn around time no more than a week. We’re glad of this way of keeping you in touch with books that are timely for our lives and life of faith! [...]

Vespers Services on the Plaza

Posted on by Kim Hill

On September 16th and 30th we will be offering a special opportunity for our church family to gather for vespers in our plaza (we’ll take advantage of the weather while we can). These short, reflective services will begin at 7 pm. Due to state gathering restrictions, we must limit our group size to 25 people. Reservations, masks and social distancing are required for this event. Please contact Gail in our church office to reserve your space office@firstpresportland.org [...]

Ordination Service of Brenna Dykman

Posted on () by Kim Hill

You are invited to virtually attend the Ordination Service of Brenna Dykman, our Interim Associate Pastor. The service will be streamed live on Friday, September 4th at 2 pm on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kRirtfFPy8k Brenna’s Ordination Bulletin [...]

A Pastoral Letter from Brian Heron, Presbyter

Posted on () by Kim Hill

Dear Members of the Presbytery of the Cascades, Like many of you in active ministry, I had planned one message for today only to realize that the world had shifted over the weekend. It is hard to believe that a message meant to provide resources to help our congregations negotiate through the coronavirus pandemic suddenly felt incidental. But that is the reality of our current American context. A virus just as deadly as the coronavirus seems to be sweeping across our nation right now. America’s deep stain of structural racism is impossible to ignore. The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of police officers and the response is just the most recent and obvious sign that racism is deeply imbedded in America’s DNA. While the nation tries to share equally the burden of the coronavirus African Americans [...]

Service of Prayer & Lament

Posted on () by Kim Hill

As a part of the greater efforts of the PCUSA and their “Week of Action,” we streamed a special service of Prayer and Lament for our community, our nation, and our world. As a community of believers, we join together to lament and make sacred space for the communal pain of racial injustice and to pray for a hurting world. In the weeks following this service, church members and the community will be invited to stop by the prayer wall on 13th and Morrison. Please see these other resources, including those from our Presbytery and denomination: Statement on Racial Justice from the Pastoral Staff A Pastoral Letter from Audrey Schindler A Pastoral Letter from Brian Heron, Presbyter Take the PC-USA 21-day challenge on structural racism [...]

Collecting School Supplies for Rose Haven

Posted on () by Kim Hill

The Mission Committee is collecting new school supplies for Rose Haven and New Avenues for Youth. Both organizations serve young people who are unhoused or with unstable homes in our neighborhood. Oregon now has the 2nd highest rate of homelessness in the USA. Last school year, the State of Oregon reported that of 21,756 homeless students; 4,427 were in the Portland area. Being a kid is hard enough. Being a homeless kid is even harder. This is why Rose Haven supplies kids with NEW school supplies each year, and they need your help. Starting on Tuesday, August 25th, we will be collecting new school supplies. Stop by the 13th street doors from10 am to 2 pm on any Tuesday in September to drop off needed supplies. Items must be new. School supplies needed include – backpacks • headphones • digital [...]

Stephen Ministry Training

Posted on () by Kim Hill

Are you interested in helping others by serving as a compassionate and faithful confidential listener? FPC is restarting a Stephen Ministry program; training begins using Zoom in late September. Stephen Ministry equips and empowers lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. This program will assist our pastors in following up with persons after they have dealt with the initial period of crisis in their lives. Get answers to your questions and an application to enroll in a training click here. Applications are due in August and will be sent to Pastor Brenna at the church. [...]

Update on Julia West project:

WOW! The Impact of NEFP & a Call for Volunteers

Open Circle Support for the Rose Haven Shelter

FPC Calvin Library: Request Books by Email

Vespers Services on the Plaza

Ordination Service of Brenna Dykman

A Pastoral Letter from Brian Heron, Presbyter

Service of Prayer & Lament

Collecting School Supplies for Rose Haven

Stephen Ministry Training

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Every Sunday at 10:30 am