Pastor’s Blog - Medford Friends Church

Yearly Meeting

Posted on Aug 1, 2018 by Jesse Davis in Pastor's Blog | 0

I spent last week at our annual Yearly Meeting sessions in Newberg at George Fox University. It was great to gather together with so many Friends from our region to work on the business of our church. As we headed into the sessions there was a palpable energy to be felt in the space. Expectation, trepidation, wonder, and hope. We were presented and approved our new super intendent Jim Le Shana. Besides that outstanding news we also had our board meeting and time to learn in workshops presented in the afternoons. Our meal times were great to fellowship and further discussion of the Yearly Meeting business. There were opportunities to pray together and worship was joyful.

One of my favorite parts of my week was spending time with Youth Yearly Meeting participants as part of my role on the Board of Youth and Young Adults. I met with students and another of our board members to talk about their experience of the event and hopes for how it might look going forward. Going forward. It is nice to be able to say that. For the past few years it has felt as though we were stuck. Held to the same discussions and frustrations. We were not a body that was able to speak well to one another always. We often had confrontation and there was a general mistrust of others. People had to determine which “camp” you were a part of. That kind of fractious and tribal activity was not something that we wanted. But when it is clear that two groups were trying to lead and control a space it ended up being obvious that there was a fracture. We acknowledged that brokenness and took steps to free both groups to pursue ministry in the ways they feel led to. That space, that freedom, is what resulted in the hopefulness at our Yearly Meeting sessions.

Looking back is great to show us where we have been but looking forward is the way to get where we want to be. Going forward is what we want to do as a Yearly Meeting. Part of me is wondering how we can participate in that vision and activity as a church in Medford. What our role is in the Yearly Meeting and our area. How can we share the gospel with our community? What does it look like for us to be the church here in our neighborhood? How can we continue to be faithful to the calling of the Lord to be His people and live in His kingdom? What does going forward look like for us?

Posted on Aug 1, 2018 by Jesse Davis in News and Events | 0

Ladies please join us for a baby shower for Janelle Ralph Friday, August 3 @ 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

We will share a light salad buffet and celebrate the blessings of a new baby. Janelle is registered at Target and Amazon. Please note that sensitive skin runs in the family. If you purchase diapers or wipes, please procure from the brands of Seventh Generation Free & Clear, or Babyganics, or Naty. This will make one baby very happy!

40-50 Year Gathering of Friends (late 60’s – 77ish!)

Some may remember Cindy Bateman Damschen. Cindy now resides in Washington and has reserved the MFC fellowship hall for a reunion. They will meet Saturday, August 11th, between 1-5 p.m.

The Bulletin Board in the Main Hallway has a list of current events and projects that we can be a part of showing the love of Christ to others. Be sure to check it out!

We are collecting gift donations for the Shoe Box ministry that we have been a part of in the past. This year we are hoping to fill 200 boxes! We are also raising funds to send those boxes overseas.

Boxes are available in the main hallway if you would like to take one now. We plan to get-together at MFC at a later date and fill boxes as a group project with the donated items. If you have any questions contact Kay Goeres.

The following items should not be included in boxes: no seeds, food, candy, toothpaste, gum, liquids, lotions, vitamins, meds, aerosol cans, anything glass, or war related toys.

Ideas for shoebox gifts are: clothing, shoes, musical instrument, soccer ball with pump, stuffed animal, doll, toy cars, jump ropes, yo-yos, toys that light up & make noise flashlights, (extra batteries are always good), socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry & watches, pens, pencils & sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks & paper, coloring & picture books, solar calculator, toothbrushes, bar soap, washcloths & combs.

Many families in the local community cannot afford to provide school supplies for their children and we want to help lighten that burden.

Howard Elementary School Supply List

Supplies that get used all the time and that they run out of the most are: red, blue, yellow & green pocket folders; Ticonderoga brand pencils; 24 count Crayola crayons & Crayola color markers and glue sticks (not white glue).

Other supplies that we’ve given in the past include: pencil top erasers; large erasers; rulers; pencil pouches; notebook paper; pens; solar calculators; 3 ring binders; pocket dividers for binders; 3×5 lined note cards; spiral notebooks; Kleenex tissues and backpacks. We have a box in the main hallway for your donations.

From the Elders: The Foster Parent Association is in need of items for the children's belongings. If you have suitcases, duffel bags or backpacks in good condition that you no longer use, we can share our love by donating. Please bring them to the church for delivery.

Posted on Jul 2, 2018 by Jesse Davis in Pastor's Blog | 0

I just got back from a trip to Mexico. I went down with a group to help build a house for a family in extreme need down there. We partnered with YWAM Central Baja to help this family. Four days was what we had scheduled to build a house from the ground up; the foundation was already poured and dry but we were doing the rest. We did the framing of the walls and roof panels, attached the exterior, painted it, and put it all together in four days. Going down there I was a little nervous about how little time we had. Four days isn’t enough time to get a building permit here so how were we gonna build a house in that time? I was amazed at the team and how we all worked together to get this new home built for this family.

As I think about the experiences I had working on the house I am reminded of the beauty of the church. When we all work together and pool our skills we can do things that we never thought possible. What might seem like an impossible task can be accomplished with what we think is not enough. God showed me that if we pull together with Him we can accomplish amazing things.

Posted on Jul 2, 2018 by Jesse Davis in News and Events | 0

Thanks to everyone who made our Camp Auction a success! We have helped with 8 camp scholarships! Evan Hayes is attending Boys Camp July 1-5, Chyna Crossett & Auston Taylor will attend Tween Camp July 15-20, Surfside Camp, August 5-11 includes: Ariel Taylor, Abby Lacey, Alexis Senter, Veronica Noriega, Nic Shinn and Reyez Moreno, a friend of Nic’s. Jesse Davis will also be teaching at Surfside Camp. Please remember to pray for travel safety, camp counselors, staff and that each would have an unforgettable experience learning about God and H is great love for them.

You can go to www.twinrocks.org for photos posted during the week of camp.

Ladies please join us for a baby shower for Janelle Ralph Friday,

August 3 @ 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Friends Women Missionary Fellowship

The ladies meet on Thursday, July 19th, at 10:30 a.m. at the home of Phebe McManama. All ladies are welcome to join us. We will enjoy a pot luck picnic following the meeting! No meeting in August.

July 22 Yearly Meeting Friends Women’s Banquet Sunday evening 5 p.m. Cost: $15, paid by July 18^th

Theme: “Living Out the Gospel”, Speaker: Dorothy Sherman Offering: Teaching Abroad

Include payment in your registration or send a check payable to Friends Women. More information on line.

MFC Has a New Projects Bulletin Board in the Main Hallway, be sure to check it out! It’s a helpful reminder of current events and how we can be a part of showing the love of Christ to others.

You might like to take part in collecting gift donations for the Shoe Box ministry that we have been a part of in the past. This year we are hoping to fill 200 boxes! We are also raising funds to send those boxes overseas. Check out the right side of the board for ideas that can go into the boxes as some things have changed! More information will come for this project!

Many families in the local community cannot afford to provide school supplies for their children and we want to help lighten that burden.

Howard Elementary School Supply List

Supplies that get used all the time and that they run out of the most are the following: red, blue, yellow & green pocket folders; Ticonderoga brand pencils; 24 count Crayola crayons & Crayola color markers and glue sticks (not white glue). Other supplies that we’ve given in the past include: pencil top erasers; large erasers; rulers; pencil pouches; notebook paper; pens; solar calculators; 3 ring binders; pocket dividers for binders; 3×5 lined note cards; spiral notebooks; Kleenex tissues and backpacks. We have a box in the main hallway for your donations.

From the Elders: The Foster Parent Association is always in need of items for the children's belongings. If you have suitcases, duffel bags or backpacks in good condition that you no longer use, we can share our love by donating. Please bring them to the church for delivery.

The 126^th Annual Sessions of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends

“Light of the World”

Held on campus at George Fox University Sunday, July 22 – Thursday, July 26, 2018

Registration is on line at NWFRIENDS.ORG/YM-SESSIONS

Mark Your Calendar – Franklin Graham will be at Jackson County Expo August 1^st, 7:30 p.m. Admission free

News – 07-2018

Posted on Jul 2, 2018 by Jesse Davis in News and Events | 0

You can go to www.twinrocks.org for photos posted during the week of camp.

Ladies please join us

for a baby shower for Janelle Ralph Friday,

August 3 @ 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Friends Women Missionary Fellowship

The ladies meet on Thursday, July 19th, at 10:30 a.m. at the home of Phebe McManama. All ladies are welcome to join us. We will enjoy a pot luck picnic following the meeting! No meeting in August.

July 22 Yearly Meeting Friends Women’s Banquet Sunday evening 5 p.m. Cost: $15, paid by July 18^th

Theme: “Living Out the Gospel”, Speaker: Dorothy Sherman

Offering: Teaching Abroad

Include payment in your registration or send a check payable to Friends Women. More information on line.

MFC Has a New Projects Bulletin Board in the Main Hallway, be sure to check it out! It’s a helpful reminder of current events and how we can be a part of showing the love of Christ to others.

Many families in the local community cannot afford to provide school supplies for their children and we want to help lighten that burden.

Howard Elementary School Supply List

From the Elders: The Foster Parent Association is always in need of items for the children’s belongings. If you have suitcases, duffel bags or backpacks in good condition that you no longer use, we can share our love by donating. Please bring them to the church for delivery.

The 126^th Annual Sessions of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends

“Light of the World”

Held on campus at George Fox University Sunday, July 22 – Thursday, July 26, 2018

Registration is on line at NWFRIENDS.ORG/YM-SESSIONS

Mark Your Calendar – Franklin Graham will be at Jackson County Expo August 1^st, 7:30 p.m. Admission free

See You Later

Posted on Jun 4, 2018 by Jesse Davis in Pastor's Blog | 0

I said goodbye to a friend today. My buddy Orlando is moving back to the east coast after a year out here in Oregon. I am going to miss him. We had a lot of laughter over the last year that is going to be missing from my life now. As we ate lunch today and talked about his plans for going back and the trip I was excited for what the future holds for him. I don’t mind leave takings like this one, where a person is heading off to do life somewhere else and is excited about it.

Tomorrow I am doing a memorial service for a family. Talking with families about their loved ones who have just passed away is a hard thing. You see the sorrow in their eyes as they recall stories of the good times and the laughter they shared. You are a part of their grief and mourning. You offer hope and prayer for comfort to them. You try to honor the individual and the family in the best way possible, by pointing to Jesus’ goodness.

As I sit in my office and think about saying goodbye to Orlando and prep for helping this family mourn I can’t help but compare the experiences. In one case it is leaving by choice, in another it is the inevitable leave taking we all face as fragile human beings. Both have elements of sorrow and joy, personal and communal. We celebrate and send off. We mourn and let go. For my part, it helps to remember that goodbye is really “see you later.” As Christians our hope in in Christ that we will partake of the resurrection. When we say goodbye to those we love it isn’t final. We could honestly say, “see you later.” Even to those we have lost to the grave. I, for one, am grateful for that hope today.

Posted on Jun 4, 2018 by Jesse Davis in News and Events | 0

Sunday, June 10, 2018 there will be an All Church Business Meeting. We will meet in the sanctuary after the worship service. Sunday School will follow the meeting.

FWMF Delectable Delicacies for Dad’s Day

Sunday, June 17^th, you can find us in the fellowship hall between Worship and Sunday School. There will be sweet and not so sweet treats! Cost by donation. Funds go towards support of NWYM Friends Serving Abroad and local outreach ministries.

Friends Women Missionary Fellowship The ladies meet on Thursday, June 21^st, at 10:30 a.m. at MFC, in the fireside room. All ladies are welcome to join us. Lunch will follow the meeting.

Looking Ahead:

July 19 FWMF meeting 10:30 a.m. at Phebe McManama’s, potluck picnic. No meeting in August.

July 22-26 Yearly Meeting Friends Women’s Banquet Sunday evening

Theme: “Living Out the Gospel”

Speaker: Dorothy Sherman

Offering: Teaching Abroad

September 20 FWMF meeting10:30 a.m. at MFC

September 28-30 Ladies Fall Retreat at Twin Rocks

Theme: “Everything Has Become New”

Speaker: Mindy Burns, Chapel Speaker: Sue Fergurson Hays

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Jesse Davis in News and Events | 0

Celebration of Life, Memorial Service for

Elvera "Vera" Wisely

Saturday, May 5^th at MFC, 2 p.m.

Vera went to be with Jesus on December 7, 2017, at the age of 104. We will gather to celebrate her life on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Medford Friends Church, 525 DeBarr Avenue, Medford, Oregon 97501.

The service will be followed by a time of fellowship with cookies, coffee and punch. Everyone is invited to join in this celebration of Vera's life.

Guest Worship Team: The River will be at MFC on May 6^th Ron Davis, who has done such an amazing job for us with the upgrades to our sound system, most recently with the new speakers, has offered to give our hard-working worship teams a week off. He belongs to a Celtic worship band called The River, and they will lead our worship time on Sunday, May 6th. We are excited to have them bring a unique sound of bluegrass, country and contemporary intricate harmonies to the Celtic base that creates a freshness from song to song. All please come and be blessed by this group!

MFC’s Silent Camp Auction – Wednesday, May 16^th

Join us for Dinner at 6:00 p.m. with Silent Auction starting at 6:30 p.m.

Dinner will be $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 with the proceeds going towards the camp scholarship fund. Dinner will be a Chili Bar- chili dogs, baked potatoes or taco salad.

Sign-up sheets to list your auction items are in the fellowship hall & sanctuary foyer.

Items such as baked goods, handmade items, antiques, collectibles & company donations have sold well in the past. Don’t miss the fun! This is a chance to earn a scholarship that will help with the cost of camp!

Kids should participate & be present at auction to qualify!

Boys Camp-entering 4^th-6^th grades in fall – July 1-5 Register by June 25 cost $355

Girls Camp-entering 4^th-6^th grades in fall – July 6-10 Register by June 18 cost $355

Tween Camp-entering 7^th-9^th grades in fall – July 15-20 Register by June 27 cost $370

Surfside Camp-completing 8^th-12^th grades this spring – Aug 5-11 Register by July 30 cost $385

Register on line at www.twinrocks.org

Print your confirmation of registration form and bring it to the church office for the auction scholarship.

We need Drivers to & from camp. If this is something you’re interested in please let Drew Krupp or Patsy Burton know.

Friends Women Missionary Fellowship – We will meet on Thursday, May 17^th, at 10:30 a.m. at MFC, in the fireside room. All ladies are welcome to join us.

May – All Church Potluck – We always have a great time of fellowship and good food! Please join us Sunday, May 20^th, we’ll meet in the fellowship hall at noon. Please bring a main dish and salad, vegetable or dessert to share.

Patches

Posted on Apr 30, 2018 by Jesse Davis in Pastor's Blog | 0

As many of you know, I love video games. I spend a lot of my down time playing them, they help me clear my head and think about something else for a little while. Their stories take me to another world (or several, for sci-fi games) and give me an experience I never could have here in the real world. I love the escapism of video games, but sometimes they give me very real frustration. I find “bugs” that make the game not work or end up being something that costs me time because I have to redo things in the game and while you would think that this would just be an excuse to play more it is really frustrating to progress and end up having to start something over which you had accomplished already! These “bugs” are often fixed through a process called patching, someone who made the game continues to support it by adding the fixes that the various users bring to their attention. Some of these fixes are pretty major while others are just making sure a particular door is sitting right on its hinges. All of them are necessary for the game to be its best version.

I think that the Christian life is a little like those video games sometimes. I have a version of life that seems to be working well, when all of a sudden, I find a “bug” or glitch in the life I am living. I then need to assess the problem and see if it was user error (maybe I was just trying to use it in the wrong way!) or if the issue lies deeper in my code. If the issue is something wrong with my “code” (my heart is misaligned, or I haven’t slept enough, or I am not spending the time I need to with Jesus for our relationship to grow) I have to report this error to the developer of my life so He can fix it. Christ designed us to live a certain way, because of some bad code that got added by an early user (see Genesis chapter 3 for more details) we have to deal with some “bugs” that happen now and then. Christ is so gracious as the developer of our lives that He has continued to support this broken version even though it wasn’t His actions that caused the issues! He desires for us to have the best version of our lives and is willing to sit down with us and help us find the fixes for the “bugs” that pop up in life. He has offered us a way to restore what has been broken through His sacrifice and wants us to accept His offer for ongoing support and care as we figure out what living without the “bug” of sin in our lives can be like. Will you accept that help? Or do you want to continue to live with the “bugs”?

Peacemakers

Posted on Mar 29, 2018 by Jesse Davis in Pastor's Blog | 0

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The word peace shows up over 370 times in the Bible. Jesus includes peacemakers in the beatitudes as those who will be seen as children of God. Jesus was a peacemaker himself. He came to bring an end to the enmity between us and God. He sought restoration and healing for this relationship through the Cross. His pain and suffering were caused by our sin. Seeking this peace between God and man cost Jesus everything.

Peacemakers are the ones who stand in the space between. They seek the points of conflict and look for resolutions. They put their wellbeing on the line for the sake of peace. They hold the tension of conflict in order to draw people together. They are often misunderstood and looked at as fools who hope beyond reason. Peacemakers are children of God who seek the image of God in others. The point to things that connect rather than things that divide.

In a culture that seems so intent on division it is hard to be a peacemaker. It is hard to work for restoration and reconciliation in a world where conflicts define us. When image is an amalgam of causes and responses we have a hard time getting people to look at the things that make them the same. When we are always looking for the thing that makes “us” different from “them” it is hard to function as a peacemaker. Christ sought peace for us before we even acknowledged our need for it: ‎ “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV, Romans 5:6-8)

In light of the resurrection of Jesus we have the chance to examine our lives and look for places in need of reconciliation. We can function as those who seek peace in our lives and the lives of those around us. We can invite people to accept the peace offered by Jesus. We can live as those who are blessed by Christ in the beatitude above, children of God and makers of peace.