Here I Am, Lord

What Do We Have Here With Us? What's In Our Bags?

Join us for our Sunday service, July 27th as Pastor Eilidh continues preaching on her series, Here I Am, Lord.

For more infomation visit:

http://vanfumc.org/media/2025-07-13-here-i-am-lord

Camp: Where the Best Stories Begin!

Pastor Eilidh's Inspiring Take on Camp

I love camp! It is a place where I have made lifelong friends, learned about myself, and grown closer to God. Camp has taught me the sacredness of crafts and how quiet time in nature can heal the soul. As a child I participated in my churches' family camps at Magruder and Suttle Lake. As a teen I attended summer camp each year at Loon Lake and spent retreat weekends at Collins as part of the work of the Oregon-Idaho conference Christian Social Concerns team. Churches where I have worked have held amazing events at Indianola and Sawtooth. I have attended events at Ocean Park and Twinlow. I still need to make it to Latgawa and the three camps in Alaska, before I can claim attendance at all the Greater Northwest Area's camps, but right now I am most looking forward to a return to Ocean Park.

Being at camp with the people of a church is a special time. Often family are along for the trip and it's a wonderful way to get to know people and make precious memories while enjoying God's glorious creation. Some of my best stories come from the rich conversations and funny moments at camp.

If you have never come to camp I hope you consider joining us for this amazing time. Even if you just come out for the day, this is a way to connect deeply with God and with the Vancouver First community. It's a chance to show our children the importance of nature, connection, and God's love. I hope you will head to the events section of our website for all the details and for a registration link.

Blessings,

Pastor Eilidh

PS don't forget your sunscreen and don't leave your shoes overnight on the beach!

Family Camp at Ocean Park

Come Play at the Beach!

Save the dates for August 29 – September 1 to join with our FUMC family and friends
on the beautiful Long Beach Peninsula. The Ocean Park Retreat Center will again host
our group. The camp accommodates all types of campers – RVs, Tents, Fully equipped
cabins and lodges, or bunkhouses – we’ve got you covered!

This is a weekend to structure the perfect getaway for you and your family. You can:

- find your competitive side during the field games
- try kayaking on Loomis Lake
- build a sandcastle at the beach
- fly a kite
- learn a new card game
- play pickle ball in the covered play structure
- eat wonderful food
- meet new friends or catch up with old friends
- laugh and/or participate in the “No Talent Show”
- kick back and relax with a book

Pastor Eilidh plans to join us on Friday and Saturday and will provide a campfire service
in the evening.

Kids 17 and younger stay for free PLUS the Vancouver Methodist Foundation has again
offered to pay for all of the food – thank you! Feel free to invite your friends to spend a
fun-filled weekend at OPRC with you.

Registration is now open. The registration form is on our website, in our church office
and attached to this email. Camperships are available.

Please feel free to contact myself or Mary Lookingbill, Camp Coordinator (360 597-
8045) if you have any questions.

Hope to see you on the beach!

Valerie Estep
Labor Day Camp Registrar
360 904-9218

For more infomation visit:

http://vanfumc.org/events/family-camp-at-ocean-park/2025-08-29

Registration Form Found Here

Young Disciples

Summer Updates

For more infomation visit:

http://vanfumc.org/news/young-disciples

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!

Protect Yourself And Your Financial Information

Please be aware when responding to emails and texts. There is a scam effort being made again, involving church staff. Somebody is posing as a VanFUMC staff member, emailing requests for assistance such as changing direct deposit information to a new banking institution. While these emails are clearly scams, it's easy to miss the subtle hints if one isn't looking for them. Here are a few clues that an email (or text!) might be a scam:

- Unusal syntax: If an email or text comes across significantly more formal than the individual would normally speak or write.

- Unusual punctuation: Use of quotations (" ---") or other out-of-place punctuation.

- Incorrect email from sender: Scammers who pose as individuals will often use an email address NOT associated with that individual, in order to receive responses to their requests for personal information. Verify that the email address is the correct one for the individual.

- Misspelled words: We all make spelling errors from time to time, and autocorrect can be a tricky bugger! But paying attention to the words that are misspelled can be a helpful indicator that maybe something is off.

For more infomation visit:

http://vanfumc.org/news/beware-of-scammers--17

August Climate Change Action Plan

Conserving Water

Week 1

Turn off the faucet while your brushing teeth – a running tap can waste over 1 1/2 gallons per minute.
Use the leftover water to feed houseplants.
Use a full load in the dishwasher and washing machine.
Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl rather than under a running tap.

Week 2

Take short showers instead of baths. A four-minute shower uses 20 to 40 gallons of water.
Fix dripping toilets, pipes, and faucets. A dripping faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water in a year.
When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.
Use a watering can or a hose with a trigger nozzle instead of a sprinkler to water the yard.

Week 3

Keep a reusable container of drinking water in the refrigerator.
Install water efficient low flow shower heads.
Recycle grey water for garden use.
Position sprinklers so water lands on lawn or garden and not on paved areas.
Use a bucket and sponge when washing the car rather than a running hose.

Week 4

Landscape your yard with drought resistant native plants.
Mulch plants and trees in your yard.
Purchase water-efficient appliances, such as low-flush toilets and front-loading washers.
Insulate your water pipes with pre-slit pipe insulation.
Don’t overwater your lawn; most lawns only need about 1”inch of water each week.