Dear Family and Friends of St. Paul’s UMC,

Each year, we as a church must seriously think about our giving and determine our commitment to the mission, ministries, and outreach of the church for the coming year. It is now that time again that we must each ask ourselves how much we are willing and able to give to support the church budget. While these are not easy conversations to have or decisions to make, our call to stewardship requires that we begin to see our treasures (and other resources like possessions, buildings, talents, and time) as God’s collective resources, intended to be used to transform the world. This year’s theme is, Pass the Baton, and for the last several weeks we have thought about who we have been as a church, who we are as a church, and who we would like to become as a church. We will continue this conversation of discernment in the weeks and months ahead.

This is an exciting time in the mission and ministry of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Our parsonage is in its seventh year of hosting the Tzadakah House, which is a covenant group, committed to living together in service to one another and to the greater community. We continue to minister to the children in our community through provision of snacks to our local elementary schools (Feed the Children). Our Prayers and Squares quilting ministry remains vital in providing quilts and prayers for many women and children through our partnership with Clackamas Women’s Services and other organizations. Our commitment to affordable housing is unwavering, and in addition to the ongoing work of our housing committee, our congregation is in the throes of discerning the best use of church land and resources and are currently participating in consulting sessions with OR-ID Conference liaison, Rev. Brett Pinder to that end. We are also thankful for community partnerships, such as the one we share with Leaven Land and Housing Coalition, which are so important in sustaining and navigating our place in this very necessary work. We also continue to preach the good news of God’s abundant and all-inclusive love, for us and for all of creation.

Along with this letter, you will be receiving a yearly “commitment card” where we will ask you to estimate how much money you will give the church in the coming year. The commitment card also asks you to commit your talents and your time to the church. What are you willing to do to further the Kin-dom of God on earth? Where is God calling you to serve? Where do your interests and passions intersect with the needs in our community? How can you use the gifts God has given you to transform the world, starting right here in our own community? Please be in prayer about these questions and ask for God’s direction. On Sunday, November 17th, you will be invited to bring your card to church where it will be collected during worship, and we will celebrate together our commitment to boldly live out the gospel through faithful giving.

I am excited to be your pastor as we walk these next steps of our journey as a church together.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kamron

So then, with endurance, let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of
us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s
throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, 2 and fix our
eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring
the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat
down at the right side of God’s throne.
– Hebrews 12: 1-3 CEB

Dear St. Paul’s UMC Family,
As the leaves begin to turn their vibrant shades of amber, gold, and maroon,
and the crisp air announces the arrival of fall here in Portland, I find myself
filled with gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us. The majestic
mountains, the serene lakes, and the lush forests remind us of God’s
handiwork in creation. In this season of transition, we are called not only to
appreciate the world around us but also to reflect on the blessings
within our church family.

Fall is a time of harvest—a season of gathering what we have sown throughout the
year. It’s a time to pause, give thanks, and prepare our hearts for what lies ahead. As we
enjoy this fall season, I invite you to consider how we can collectively nurture the gifts
God has given us. This year, our church will be launching a new giving campaign titled
“Passing the Baton.” Barbara Maxwell will be sharing more about this with us beginning
this coming Sunday morning during worship. The theme “Passing the Baton” is
inspired, in part, by the relay races we often watch, where teamwork and strategy are
key to success. Hebrews 12: 1-3 tells us that in our faith journey, we, too, are in a race,
where each generation has the responsibility to pass on the wisdom, resources, and
spiritual gifts to the next. Just as athletes train for their next race, we are called to
equip and empower new lay leaders in our community. This campaign invites each of
you to discern your spiritual gifts and consider how you might contribute to the
ongoing ministry of our church. Your unique gifts and talents have a place in our
shared mission. We are not merely stewards of our own gifts; we are caretakers of a
legacy that stretches far beyond ourselves.

As we launch this initiative, I encourage you to reflect on your experiences within our
church community. What moments have inspired you? How have you felt the presence
of the Holy Spirit among us? I believe that each story, each voice, adds a unique thread
to the tapestry of our congregation. This is an opportunity to share your gifts with
others and to invest in the next generation of leaders who will carry our mission
forward.

In conjunction with our campaign, we are also inviting you to consider your financial
support. Just as we invest our time and talents, our financial contributions play a vital
role in sustaining and expanding our ministries. Your giving allows us to provide
resources for our programs, support community outreach, and foster an environment
where spiritual growth can flourish.

As we embark on this journey together, I ask each of you to prayerfully consider how
you might support this initiative, whether through time, talent, or treasure. Each
contribution—big or small—plays a crucial role in helping us pass the baton of faith and
service to those who will follow. In this season of change, let us remember that just as
the trees shed their leaves to prepare for new growth, we too can let go of what no
longer serves us and embrace the possibilities ahead. Together, let’s celebrate the
beauty of our community, the richness of our shared faith, and the promise of new
beginnings.

May this Fall bring you peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose as we strive to
cultivate a legacy of love and service in our church and beyond.

With love and peace,
Pastor Kamron

Hello dear Members and Friends of St. Paul’s UMC,
I hope this note finds you all doing well. St. Paul’s family, let me just say, you have set a high bar
for Oregonian hospitality! Thank you for the warm welcome and continued expressions of
kindness. Thank you for treating me to office visits and cups of coffee and espresso milk shakes.
Thank you for the invitations to lunch, and for bags and bags of fresh vegetables and fruits from
your thriving gardens. Thank you for your continued prayers and extensions of grace for my
learning curves as a new pastor. Thank you for your recommendations for places to do and
things to see – and for even taking me to places like Multnomah Falls and a Portland Broadway
series musical! What a wonderful first month it has been as your new pastor! My heart is full, and
I am so grateful.

My list of favorite things about Portland is growing longer each day, but one thing that has
remained close to the top of that list has been the availability of fresh, homegrown produce. I
was excited to discover that my new rental home features a small, backyard garden that my
landlord works hard to grow and maintain. I don’t know a lot about gardening, but I am doing my
best to learn. This morning, as I spent a few minutes picking fresh tomatoes from their vines, I
found myself reflecting on the connection between the practice of gardening and the
discernment of spiritual gifts and ministries in the church.

It is an exciting time to be a part of St. Paul’s UMC, as we work to discern our next steps forward
with the affordable housing project, and as we discover and hone our individual and collective
spiritual gifts and interests. It is my hope that you find this analogy both enlightening and
encouraging as we strive to grow together in our service to God and one another. (continue)
According to an online article from Garden Design, “gardening is about finding the right
combination of sunlight, fertile soil, and water to make your plants thrive. It’s also about
fulfilling your passion, so select plants you love” (https://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/).
Similarly, discerning our spiritual gifts involves a thoughtful process of understanding and
nurturing the unique abilities that God has given to each of us.

Consider for a moment the gardener’s task. When planting a garden, one must first prepare the
soil, ensuring it is rich and fertile. This preparation involves removing weeds, tilling the ground,
and providing the right nutrients. Likewise, in our spiritual lives, preparing our hearts and minds
is crucial. We must be willing to clear away the distractions and obstacles that hinder our
spiritual growth, allowing God’s love and guidance to strengthen and enrich us.

Once the soil is ready, the gardener chooses the right seeds or plants for the environment. Each
plant has its own needs and potential, and the gardener’s role is to match the plant with the
right conditions. In the same way, discerning our spiritual gifts requires us to recognize and
understand the unique ways in which God has equipped us. Just as different plants flourish in
different environments, our spiritual gifts will thrive in the settings where God has placed us—
whether it be in teaching, service, encouragement, or another area.

As the garden grows, the gardener must continually tend to it. This involves watering, pruning,
and sometimes protecting the plants from pests. It is a process of ongoing care and adjustment.
Similarly, our spiritual gifts require nurturing and development. We must actively seek ways to
use our gifts for the benefit of the church and the world, while also being open to growth and
change. This might involve stepping out of our comfort zones, engaging in new ministries, or
supporting others in their spiritual journeys.

Moreover, just as a garden thrives from the diversity of plants—each contributing to the beauty
and health of the whole—our church community flourishes when we each contribute our unique
gifts. Every role is vital, and together we create a vibrant and thriving community that reflects
the body of Christ in its fullness.

Isaiah 58:11 says,
“The Lord will guide you continually and
satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a
watered garden, like a spring of water those waters never fail.”

We must trust in God’s timing and be patient as God works through us.

As we continue to explore and develop our spiritual gifts, let us approach this journey
with the same dedication and love that a gardener brings to their garden. Let us prepare
our hearts, understand our unique callings, nurture our gifts, and support one another
as we grow together in faith and service.
In Christ,

Pastor Kamron

Greetings Members and Friends of St. Paul’s UMC!

What a gift it was to worship with you for the first time on Sunday, August 4 th as your
new pastor! To those of you that I have met, I has truly been a pleasure. To those I’ve
not met yet, I look forward to meeting each of you very soon.

As I said on Sunday morning, I have moved across the country – from Birmingham,
Alabama to Portland, Oregon – in obedience to God’s call to walk alongside you in
ministry and in service. I do not know what the future holds for us just yet, but I am
excited for what is to come, and I am committed to loving you well as your pastor.

Please feel free to email me at kamronfurlow@gmail.com or text me at 205-587-1225,
with any questions or concerns, or prayer requests, or just to introduce yourself and
say hello. I am happy to meet for lunch or coffee, or to set a time for a visit in the
church office. When you get in touch with me, please also share your favorite
Portland-area restaurants, coffee shops, scenic points of interest, etc. I am counting
on each of you to help me get to know the area!

Have a great week!
Blessings,
Pastor Kamron