Handbells will have special music this week.

When my mom died in November of 2023 one of the things I inherited was her 35 year old Christmas Cactus named Chrissy.  As we were loading up the car I was carrying Chrissy and slid on the ice.  I ended up with a bruised tailbone, but Chrissy survived without injury.  It was sort of like falling while holding a child, I sacrificed myself so the plant was uninjured.  Chrissy seemed to enjoy the 7 hour drive to Portland and listening to Taylor Swift the whole way.

Once we were home I worried.  I did not want to kill my mom’s beloved plant.  So I read up on Christmas Cacti and was delighted a few weeks later when she started to bloom. The first blossom is pictured here. I learned how to propagate her and now Chrissy babies fill our house and have been given as gifts to several friends. I even have one in my office at church. I was lucky that this plant was easy to care for and I was willing to take it.  My sister is not a plant person, but we both knew how much mom loved the plant, so we were not going to just throw it out or let it die.

Plants are something we invest time and energy in, and even talk to now and again if you are someone like my mama. We know that sometimes as people age or life changes that plants need to be given away. Or maybe you are like me and have propagated something so much it fills your home.  Here at church we are building a legacy garden for such plants.  It started with the beautiful peace lily gifted to us by Kathy Neary’s family following her memorial service. Mary decided that the nook near the North Lobby doors was the perfect place for this house plant haven.  Averie is young and agile so she has been recruited as our chief waterer. Slowly over the last few months plants have joined the garden. We have room for lots more! So if you have a beloved plant to share please contact Mary and make arrangements for it to join the Legacy Garden.  These gifts of plants make our space more welcoming and warm and we are so grateful to share in this with you!

Blessings,

Pastor Eilidh

An introduction to what dementia is, how it affects the brain and impacts the community.

Join us for lunch and a meeting with our new District Superintendent Rev. Katie Ladd.

We will have a light lunch at 11:15 while Rev. Ladd meets with SPRC.

Then at 12 we will meet as a church to vote on pastor’s compensation, review our membership rolls, and celebrate our leadership slate.

Help us welcome our new DS!

John Wesley's three simple rules remind us that stewardship is about making the most of what we have and using it generously to share God's love.

At Vancouver First UMC, we're putting these principles into action! From our Dirt Devils caring for the grounds to volunteers sharing their talents, we're finding creative ways to reduce expenses while growing our ministries. We're being frugal not because we've lost our vision, but because we believe in it!

As United Methodists, we promise to support our church through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. This year's stewardship campaign invites us to renew all five commitments as we look toward 2027.

Please submit your 2027 pledge by November 22! Pledge cards are available at the church, or you can make your pledge online here

Every gift matters. Every person matters. Together, let's discover what God can do through us!

We are creating 25 food boxes for families at Washington Elementary and Discovery Middle School to help feed them over the Thanksgiving break. You can help by bringing in one of the following items on or before Sunday, November 15. Don't want to go shopping? No problem - we are also accepting financial donations to cover some of the food items and to purchase a grocery gift card for each family. 

Please check your giving statement and make sure you are up to date on your pledges as you are able.  We understand life circumstances can change over a year.  We are signing contracts with Allegro and preparing for all of our year end expenses, so your planned gift is needed. Please reach out to our Financial Secretary, Sydney Bignell, if you have questions about your pledge for 2026 or your giving statement.

You are part of putting the pieces together so we can faithfull serve God here and now!

It's time for a new collection of photographs to be displayed on the walls of the Conrad room and hallway. Pastor Eilidh has been speaking to us about 'belonging' and what it means to belong. So, grab your camera and capture an image of what belonging looks like to you!

Please submit your photographs by sending them to Larry Irish via email - irish2219@gmail.com

For each photo, please include:

• The photographer's name
• A title for the photograph
• A short description of how this photo connects you to "Belonging"

The deadline for submissions is Monday, November 2nd. 

Need to downsize?  Have too many plants?  Trired of watering?  Share your indoor plants with us.  We are creating a legacy garden on the raised platform in the lobby.  Please contact Mary Lookingbill for details or to schedule your donation.

We have compost bins that are dishwasher-safe, so if you would like one for your kitchen, stop by the church during office hours or contact Sarah at cultivatorlb@gmail.com

Our church community values knowing one another. We show it by proudly wearing name tags when we are together. Anyone who wishes to be included is welcome. There is no charge, but donations are gladly accepted. To request yours, either make a note on your Sunday attendance sheet or call the church office. The office will keep a list of requests. When we receive at least ten requests, we will place an order.

Note: If you cannot wear a magnetic tag, let us know. Pin backs are an option.

On Wednesdays from 9 - 11 AM, there are cost-free notary public services available for both walk-ins and appointments in our office.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact notarypublictess@gmail.com