The Mission Team highlights themes for each season to help guide the church’s outreach activities.  These will suggest ways our church can help with issues important to our community.  Supplementing these themed activities are ongoing, year-round partnerships and focus areas, such as Habitat for Humanity, environmental justice/creation care, Family Promise, and missionary support.

Below are just some of the events and opportunities we have planned for this month (or already completed this month). As always, if you have questions and/or want more information on how to get involved, please contact one of the Mission Team members list below or Bill Owen via email at beaaowen@gmail.com.

The church’s annual school supply drive for Washington Elementary and Discover Middle Schools ended in late August on a high note.  The combination of donated items and monetary gifts brought in 2,198 individual supplies for these two schools.  The Mission Team set an aspirational goal of collecting 1,100 items in July based on the results of the previous year’s drive.  So, our congregation doubled that amount!  Give yourselves a huge round of applause for reaching this level that helps the church’s neighborhood families!!

Using Themes to Organizing Mission Work

During its annual planning meeting in August, the Mission Team agreed to continue its model from the previous year, following themes to promote activities for the congregation.  Recognizing that our diverse membership uses a variety of methods to conduct mission work, each theme will contain four elements: a brief but focused collection drive, a hands-on activity, direction for monetary donations, and educational opportunities.

This year, the Team agreed on the following themes:

• October – February: Supporting our Unhoused Neighbors
• March – May: Supporting our Neighbors Around the World
• June – September: Supporting Kids in School

Look for more information in future church communications and Sunday services.

Need other ideas that you can do individually to help promote your or your family’s health and education?  Check out what other opportunities exist from sources within and outside of our church!

Looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety in life?  Everyone is welcome to join the Taoist Tai Chi™ arts introductory sessions in Jason Lee Hall each Saturday morning.  Leaders will guide you through the practice which is part of an ancient tradition dating back to the 13th century.

https://www.taoisttaichi.org/locations/portland-vancouver-vancouver-boys-and-girls-club/

Yes, there is still time left in the season to take advantage of these markets of fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal creations. While the larger Vancouver Farmers Market invites weekend visitors, the neighborhood markets cater to midweek shoppers and nearby residents.

Several markets remain open through the end of September and one to the end of October.  See link below for details. 

https://www.visitvancouverwa.com/blog/post/farmers-market-rundown-five-days-six-markets/

Visit this nearby treasure to learn more about the environment we live in and our human impacts.  Staff lead programs that provide education, tours, and other volunteer events associated with their onsite fish hatchery and forested areas.

https://www.columbiasprings.org/events/

Energized by Mission Work? Connect with a Mission Team Member to Lean More:

Evan Hull

Anita Jinks

Marion Noe

Bill Owen

Elizabeth Owen

Tracy Rothwell

Susan Lee Schwartz

Bev Thomas