The Adult Program staff is out of the office for the Summer from July 1 through September 1, 2010.  The Fall Program Guide will be available at church or on-line on September 1, 2010. 

Shakespeare Retreat Thu. - Fri., Oct. 21-22, 2010

Since word has spread about the Fall Shakespeare Retreat, sign-ups have been brisk. This year the Retreat is on a Thursday and Friday, Oct. 21 and 22, 2010. The roster is full,  but there are often a few cancellations as the actual date approaches, so we are happy to put you on a Wait List and will fill spaces as they become available. For more details or to get on the Wait List, call Janine in the church office 503-228-6389 Ext. 10.  For more information see the Front Steps page 8.

Writing Circle meets on the third Tuesday in Room B301 between 6:30 and 8:30. Contacts are: Sally Young 503-652-6349 and Carrie Page 971-207-2760.

Poetry Group meets on the second and fourth Thursday between 6:30 and 8:30. Contact is: Barry Green 360-713-7148.  Our Pie and Poetry night was delicious. It was wonderful to hear all the poems written by First Church members and terrific to receive 12 new books of poetry for the Channing Library. 

Leaping Frogs Writers Collective meets Tuesdays from Noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Channing Room. 

 Labyrinth Walks: The first Sunday of each month and on special occasions, we walk the Labyrinth together in the Buchan Reception Room, B102. Join us from 10:30 until Noon on July 4, August 1 and September 5 . Let The Labyrinth guide you to your personal center and back again. All are welcome! 

First Share News

Produce Share Every Sunday
Bring your early harvest to our table in Fuller Hall share with congregants during coffee hour. Nothing to share yet? No problem! Stop by to see what is available to enjoy!  If you are interested in helping to staff the Produce Share table this summer, please contact Amanda. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and witness the fruits (and vegetables..and flowers) of their labors!

Garden Match
You asked at the Seed Share table, and we responded! Is your garden lying fallow or would you like less lawn? Then sign up at the First Share table to allow another congregant to garden at your place. Apartment dweller looking wanting a garden? We have a sign-up list for you as well. If a match comes up, we will put you in touch with each other, and you set up the arrangement to- gether to your liking.

As we look back at a year of “We are all in this together,” and look forward to a year with a new minister, First Share is pleased to see the resilience building throughout the congregation. This fall many gathered in newly formed “Resilience Circles,” and the conversations continue with periodic potlucks and book discussions. You have stepped forward and participated in cooking-ahead on weekends and in offering to start a sewing (and mending) room. If you are interested in joining our next conversation, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

Thanks to all who brought fruits and flowers, vegetables and nuts from your gardens and orchards! Many of you enjoyed the vegetables and fruits of one another’s labors through the Produce Table all summer long through Thanksgiving.
Through the Toy Share many of you and your children explored valuable lessons in sharing abundance as a meaningful way to give and receive, with thanks to our partners in the sixth grade religious education sustainability class. Seventy five of you participated in the first round of Resilience Circles, learning together, helping each other through mutual aid and taking action together.
Mark your calendars…There’s more coming your way!