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Mission Log: Portland 2013

This is where to find all that's happening during the Mission Trip! Follow the adventures of Ethan, Kevin,
Riley, and Zach as they go out as representatives of our Lord from our congregation and youth group.
We start with a map of the various Mission Partners we are working with in Greater Portland.


View Larger Map

Keep checking back for photos, vids, stories, and more as the week progresses!
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Monday

We met up with Jacob, a social worker in Portland, who gave us a tour of the city, exposing us to the face of homelessness and poverty in various places and levels and how many ended up in those situations.

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Tuesday

Today we started our "real" work, heading into Vancouver to work with Friends of the Carpenter, a ministry of relationships with those in rehab, restoration, and homeless situations. We were able to tour the facility and help prepare a newsletter for 3500 ministry partners.

After FotC, we trekked into Portland to tour the Shanghai Tunnels. It's an important reminder that human trafficking is still a problem today...

After-dark found us at Voodoo Donut, where a long line, including traveling minstrels, entertained us until we finally enjoyed epic donuts.

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Wednesday morning we traveled south to Medical Teams, International's REAL. LIFE. ehxibit, which created scenes from 9 different conlict, poverty, or disaster areas in need. also of great importance was that we finally got to shower!

Our evening escapades found us on the MAX headed to ride the escalators at Lloyd Center. Dinner found us atop a double decker bus eating gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches at Grilled Cheese Grill.

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Thursday

We drove to Lift Urban Portland this morning to help with their community garden that provides fresh vegetables to seniors and those in need. Surprise: we also got to paint their pantry shelf!

After day in North, we grabbed dinner from the food carts and headed to Burnside for Nighstrike, a relational homeless ministry. Zach headed out with a group for prayer walk, Riley with another group handing out snacks and drinks, while Ethan and Kevin stayed under the Burnside Bridge to give haircuts to those needing them. Yes, haircuts. All had an incredible time.

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Friday

We went to Union Gospel Mission's Tigard site, where we were able to help sort and prepare items for sale through their Thrift store, where all sales went to help those supported by their programs around the Greater Portland area.

In the evening we took advantage of some down time and headed underground for 18 holes of blacklight, pirate-themed mini golf.

As a part of the My Night In A Box program we procured some cardboard and spent the night outside on cold pavement. Cardboard is not much of a cushion we discovered, and the Police don't like us sleeping in a church yard (but it worked out alright). 

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Saturday

Our last day found us up at dawn and heading to Burnside where we worked with the Portland Rescue Mission, serving breakfast to about 150 people, and then working on projects that would help PRM continue to serve the large homeless community of Portland.

Mission 2013

July 7^th – 13^th
Youth Summer Mission is going to Portland, OR, to serve those in need within the city! We will be staying at First Presbyterian Church of Portland, partnering with several agencies in service of those in need, whether homeless, in addiction programs, abuse shelters, unemployed, and more. 

Each day will take us to a different forum to serve others, including gardening, building, organizing, conversing, supplying food and clothing, or procuring supplies. Each day will also take us to some infamous Portland location, from VooDoo Donut to the Shanghai Tunnels and more!

We currently have 10 spots available for our group, and a $50 deposit reserving your spot is due by May 31st, with the remainder due by June 30th. The Mission Information Packet has information and the necessary forms to be filled out to be a part of this adventure.

Video Links about our Mission Partners:

LIFT Urban Portland
Night Strike
Medical Teams International
Portland Rescue Mission
Friends of the Carpenter

click to view larger

2013 kicks off a whole new year where we have the opportunity to grow in our knowledge and actions in Jesus, taking the gospel with us wherever we go. Whew, that's a big responsibility, isn't it?

Well, as usual, we'll gather to learn, grow, and have fun together on Sunday night youth groups, Bible Study, and Sunday School.

Other highlights this month include:

• January 1st: Youth New Year's Game Day. Come to the church from 2pm til 4pm or so for an assortment of running, jumping, crawling, hiding, dancing, shooting, and other games to welcome in the new year.
• January 6th: ICE SKATING & CHILI FEED! Our Annual Skate & Bean day is just around the corner. Meet at the YWCA at 4:30 for an hour of ice skating (we've rented out the whole rink!), and then head over to the church for chili, cornbread, brownies, games and more! This is for all ages, so bring along your fam', friends, and random folk you meet on the street. suggested donation is $3/person or $10 per family. (no regular youth groups)
• Wednesdays beginning January 9th: Bible Study takes a look at what the Bible says about Angels for a couple of months. Be sure to join us at 6:45pm every week to find out more about these heavenly messengers, warriors, and worshipers. Dinner at 6pm for all ages.

*Join our Facebook group for CREW (mid-high) or DEEP (sr-high).

Contact Kevin with any questions, complaints, ideas, concerns, or Slurpee cravings.

email: kevin@wwpcusa.org | work: 525.1093 | cell: 503.866.8904

Turkey Bowl 2012

Advent kicked off with the Annual Turkey Bowl... (click to see more pics)

Turkey Bowl 2012

December Calendar & Events

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So many things going on this month as we enter the Holyday season! Here are some highlights to make note of:

• December 2nd: Stone Soup, Turkey Bowl, Pizza, & a Movie
• Can we fit any more into a single day? Well, yes, but we won't.
• 9:00am: Come to the church kitchen to help prepare Lunch for the congregation.
• 10:31am: Worship Service for everyone!
• 11:45am: Stone Soup Lunch (all-church)
• 1:00pm: Annual Flag Football Turkey Bowl in the Big Yard.
• 2:00pm: Pizza & a Movie down in Youth Cave 2.0
• (no regular youth groups)
• December 19th: Christmas Caroling
• Meet at the church at 6:30pm and we'll head around town bringing the joy of song to many who are shut-in and unable to venture out to enjoy the season of Christmas. Cookies and Cocoa will be enjoyed after we're done around 8:00pm.
• December 21st - 22nd: High School Lock-In
• 9th - 12th graders come to the church around 8:00pm for an all-nighter of games, candy, movies, tacos, Nerf wars, Flamingo games, Bacon Maple bars, and more! Come when you can, leave when you have to. It could be a good idea to bring Nerf gear and a Sleeping Bag with Pillow... just in case.
• December 23rd: Youth Christmas Party (6:00pm)
• 6th - 12th graders come together to celebrate Christmas during this time of food, song, videos, games, and a white-elephant gift exchange (keep it under $5, regift something you didn't want, or wrap something you found around the house).
• December 29th: Epic Movie Day (2:00pm - 9:00pm)
• Come watch all 3 Jurassic Park movies, complete with Dino-hats for the first 10 students or so. Dinner will be served in between II and III. Feel free to act out your favorite part!

December 24th: Christmas Eve Services.

We hope that you and your families will join us for one or more of our Christmas Eve services here at First Presbyterian. 5:00pm is our Kid Friendly service, with a play by church staff, lots of songs, story-time, little-kids bell choir, and a simpler presentation of the Christmas story. 7:00pm is a traditional English "Lessons & Carols" worship service with many songs of old, the Christmas story, and more. If you're a late night person, our 11:00pm service is a Contemplative, quieter time of worship. Candle light, acoustic guitars, and Communion focus us on the true meaning of Christmas: "Unto us a child is born!"

*Join our Facebook group for CREW (mid-high) or DEEP (sr-high).

Contact Kevin with any questions, complaints, ideas, concerns, or Slurpee cravings.

email: kevin@wwpcusa.org | work: 525.1093 | cell: 503.866.8904

November Calendar & Events

*click to view larger image*

November brings the Holidays ever closer, and with it we find several events of awesomeness for the youth of Walla Walla...

Highlights include:

November 4th, 5:30pm: Talent Night & Dinner. This year's First Presbyterian talent show is set to the backdrop of Gilligan's Island... but don't let that stop you from being a part of it! Any sort of talent, island or otherwise, will be welcomed at this annual event for the whole congregation.

November 12th, 3:00pm: Mario Kart Tournament. With no school on this Monday, come to the church during the afternoon to test your Kart skills against other teens and leaders during this time of games, snacks, and basically celebrating the long weekend.

November 16th - 18th: The Blast (High School Retreat). 9th - 12th grade students head for the hills during this retreat, making camp at Ghormley Meadow outside of Yakima. Please register by the 14th if you can, and let Kevin know if you would like a scholarship ($ is not a reason to skip this event!) or need more details. We leave Friday around 3:30pm and get back Sunday around 3:30pm. $75 for the weekend (scholarships are available).

November 20th. Thanksgiving Worship & Dessert. Come to the church at 4:00pm to help prepare the desserts for our all-ages Worship Service & Dessert. Youth provide the pies, brownies, cookies, coffee, and cocoa as we gather to thank God for all He has blessed us with. Worship begins at 7:00pm and is followed by the Dessert & Coffee time.

November 23rd - 24th: CREW Lock-In (Middle School). 6th - 8th graders are encouraged to spend the night at the church together for games, movies, pizza, more games, snacks, randomness, more games, and possibly even sleep. Meet at the church at 8:00pm Friday and stay until 10:00am Saturday, or come any time in between that you are able!

*Join our Facebook group for CREW (mid-high) or DEEP (sr-high).

Contact Kevin with any questions, complaints, ideas, concerns, or Slurpee cravings.

email: kevin@wwpcusa.org | work: 525.1093 | cell: 503.866.8904