United VoiceUnited Lutheran Church July & August 2014A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

2230 Washington Street, Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 342-5808

www.unitedlutheran.org unluthch@efn.org

Worship Services: Sundays, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.; Summer: 9:45 a.m

Education Hour: 9:45 a.m., School Year Only

Some of you know that

one United’s “20-somethings” is

taking several months to hike the

Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Julia

Frantz and her boyfriend, Philip,

have been walking for a couple

of months and have already covered hundreds of miles

starting from the California-Mexico border. They have

walked the desert portion of the trip and are now in the

Sierra Nevada mountain range including hiking to the

top of Mt. Whitney.

The following is from Julia’s blog which can be

found at http://thepjadventure.com.

“Wow, where to start? This has definitely been an

adventure so far. It is an incredible opportunity and

experience, but it has its fair share of challenging moments. I

find I need to remind myself every day that we are

CHOOSING to be here and that I should probably stop

complaining about my heavy pack, hurting feet, or the

boiling (or freezing) temperatures. The past few hundred

miles have seen it all: high points and low points (both

emotional and literal), 100 degree days and 25 mile

waterless sections, snow and freezing temperatures, idyllic

mountain towns, barren stretches of desert, and endless

mountains. We’ll finish with one mountain pass just to round

a bend and see that another awaits us, or finish descending

8,000 feet into a desert basin just to see that another, larger

climb is next. The terrain is constantly changing and is

constantly up and down. I have moments where I get

pointlessly frustrated and mad at the trail, the rocks, the trees,

even the little lizards that frequently dart in front of me. Why

are we out here walking all day, anyway? What will we

gain from it? But, amidst the frustration, there are so many

moments in each day that make it worth it. We’re seeing SO

much of the West Coast, and we’re still only in Southern

California. The beauty of our surroundings is overwhelming.

All we have to do is walk each day, and that affords so

much time for thinking and reflecting. It is really an incredible

gift. And, we are meeting so many unique, interesting, and

amazing people along the way.”

I can only imagine the challenges, joys, and

toughness demanded of body, mind, and spirit for such

a trek.

That being said, Julia’s comments also got me

thinking about life in general and the life of faith in

particular. There are both many challenges and joys in

these journeys as well. Sometimes we can be

overwhelmed by God’s grace and beauty and at other

times we are overwhelmed by struggles and questions.

The trail of faith and life is such a mix of trials and gifts

just as in the many ascents, descents, and winding paths

of the PCT.

And yet, we continue, by choice, to remain on this

journey. We may wonder about it but we continue to

pursue it. Why? Each of us will answer that for

ourselves. For me, the wonder of God’s grace, and that

not only when it comes as radiant as a glorious sunrise

but also when it shows up as an unexpected flat stretch

in an otherwise steep climb, is what keeps me going.

Julia speaks of an aspect of encouragement for the

journey when she writes, “And, we are meeting so many

unique, interesting, and amazing people along the way.”

The community of faith we share is an essential

part of what gives my faith the vitality it needs to

continue to follow Jesus along the way as slow and

stumbling as I may be on the journey.

Thanks for being a companion in all of this. It has

many dynamics to it, some up, some down, and some

just around the bend. Through them all, I pray that we

may help one another, be enriched by the wonders we

encounter, have the strength to meet the challenges on

the way, and be people who share the compassion of

Christ with others on the journey we share.

Pastor Tom Dodd

United Voice July & August 2014 – Page 1

Summer. What a gloomy word. It

sounds disappointed.

Aaaaaautuuuumn is long. Winter is

straightforward. SPRING(!) is way too

excited. Summer… Summer is a

bummer. Yeah, it’s been a real summer.

What a summer.

I am joking of course; I find summers to be far

better than my unjust onomatopoeic interpretation

suggests. Summers are when some of the best memories

get made. Summers are bright and carefree. Summers

stay up late on the rear patio with beer and friends. So

why does it seem like a gloomy word? Hmm… Maybe

I’m just feeling a little glummer this summer because it’s

about time to say goodbye.

Yes, this happy season of my life is about to come

to a close, and even if the next season is a good one, I’ll

miss the fine summer of life this year with United

Lutheran Church. That it has been too short is not the

only characteristic my year at United has in common

with summer. It has been warm and sunny, thanks to

your hospitality and support. There have been great

memories here: hosting the talent show, playing an

angel in the only nativity on earth that included a

jellyfish, getting snowed out of our house for three days,

and laser-tagging Pastor Tom 197 times. It has been a

joy getting to know you and to be a part of your

wonderful church community. This truly is one of the

best internship communities in the country; I’ll be sad

when it comes time to say goodbye. What a summer.

Of course, summer isn’t to blame for that; you are.

So, for making life and learning here such a wonderful

experience and for making me feel sad to go, I thank you

all from the depths of my heart. Thank you and God

bless you all.

Intern Israel Jurich

INTERN ISRAEL’S

LAST SUNDAY AT

UNITED

Intern Israel will be at

United (and Good Samaritan) until August 24. We will

have a farewell potluck and “roast” for him following

worship that day. Bring a dish or two to share for the

meal. Cards and farewell cash gifts are also welcome as

we send Israel and Elizabeth off with our many good

wishes and prayers. “Farewell and Godspeed” forms

will be available at church in August for you to fill out

with your messages and memories for Israel.

MORE GRADUATES!

We mistakenly left out

two of United’s graduates in the

June issue. With apologies, they

are:

Cameron Wisecaver, Sheldon

High School

Devynn Parkinson, University of Oregon, degree in

anthropology

They were honored at church along with our

other graduates on Sunday, June 15. We wish all our

graduates God’s many blessings.

VACATION BIBLE

SCHOOL COMES IN

AUGUST

Children, ages three

through those who have completed

kindergarten are invited to Vacation

Bible School, August 11-15! It will be held at Emmaus

Lutheran Church (18 & Polk), 9:15-11:45 a.m.th

This is a continuation of the Emmaus-United-

Central summer outreach to children. It is free, thanks

to the late Dora Harris and her family. Invite your

neighbors and friends to join your children and

grandchildren for this special week.

ALL-CHURCH HIKE

AT SILVER FALLS

All able-bodied hikers are

invited to an All-Church Hike

after worship on Sunday, August

17, at Oregon’s largest state park,

Silver Falls, outside Silverton.

The plan is to hike the Trail of Ten

Falls, a nine-mile moderate hike with

800-feet elevation variation. You will need

sturdy shoes and we will want to take a

camera. Pets are not allowed on the trail. This

is a stunning hike with each of the three

trailheads leading into the canyon. You may

do a shortened version of the hike if you

aren’t up to the full 9-mile loop.

We will leave from church at 11:30

a.m., carpooling. Bring a lunch – we will eat

at the park. There is a $5.00 day use fee per

car.

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United Voice July & August 2014 – Page 2

LIGHTER FARE FOR JULY

READING

United’s Book Group invites

you to enjoy Jane Austen’s classic

novel of wit, romance, and intrique,

Pride and Prejudice, this July. We will discuss it after

worship on Sunday, July 13 (11:30 a.m.) Bring your

lunch and come to talk about Elizabeth and Mary

Bennett, their silly younger sister, Lydia, Mr. Darcy, the

Bingleys, dastardly Wickham, Mr. Collins, and many

more memorable characters.

This book is available widely in reduced cost

editions, either new or used. The Eugene Public Library

has several copies. Amazon and Barnes and Noble offer

it in e-editions for as little as 99 cents (and even for free.)

Coming in late summer: The Emerald Mile by

Kevin Fedarko.

DWIGHT FAIRBANKS

1920-2014

On June 3 we said

goodbye to longtime member

of United, Dwight Fairbanks.

He had been in failing health

for quite a while, but many at United have good

memories of the years when Dwight was actively

involved at church along with his lovely wife, Ruth, who

preceded him in death.

Dwight was born on July 8, 1920, in Fort Collins,

Colorado. He received a Purple Heart during his service

in the U. S. Army during World War II. He received

degrees from Colorado State Univ. (BS, 1943), Michigan

State Univ. (MS, 1956), and the Univ. of Oregon (Ph. D.,

1968). He worked in education in a variety of positions

both in Washington state and in Oregon through the

years. He was an accomplished writer, published

author, and artist, as well as a kind and gentle man.

Dwight married Ruth Oksendahl on June 10,

1947. They had two daughters and one son. Their

daughter Janet died previously. Dwight is survived by

his daughter, Joan, and son, Tom, two grandsons, a

sister, as well as other relatives in the U. S., Norway, and

France. A religious inurnment ceremony and military

honors ceremony will be held on November 1, at Rest

Haven Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of Life

at Cascade Manor, Dwight’s last home.

WALK TO FEED THE

HUNGRY ON

OCTOBER 5 TH

WHO: United Lutheran

Church/FOOD for Lane

County/Church World Service

WHAT: CROP Walk

WHEN: Sunday, October 5, 2014, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Alton Baker Park

RECRUITER/CONTACT PERSON: Kathy Mains

Hunger Facts:

$25 = 50 chicks for a village.

$50 = seeds & tools to help three families start a garden.

$110 = emergency food for a family of five for a month

$150 = literacy classes for six women.

EARTH-CONSCIOUS

GARDENING

For every wild animal of the forest is

mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is

mine. Psalm 50:10-11

It Matters . . .

. . . if we use organic sprays, for example, or safer soap in

the garden, and read the labels on garden sprays. Some

(neonicotonoids) are toxic to butterflies and bees.

. . . that we know the difference between a "bee" and a

wasp/hornet before using a spray to kill one.

. . . if we use a bird bath and bird feeder to welcome

birds.

. . . if we stop watering the street or sidewalks; they don't

grow anything but moss.

Happy Gardening!

REMEMBER THE

CHURCH AS YOU

TRAVEL THIS SUMMER

People come and go from

worship in the summer, but the

bills remain the same. Please

don’t forget the church while you

are traveling – send a check. Or sign up for electronic

giving – the church office has the necessary forms.

Thank you!

United Voice July & August 2014 – Page 3

BIRTHDAYS

JULY AUGUST

1 - Lowell Moe 15 - Ginny Currens

Natalie Brandt 16 - Shoran Adair

Everett Brandt 21 - Betty Fuller

2 - Arne Moe Molly Phelps

3 - Kate Landon 25 - Sophia Bredbenner

4 - Jean Frantz 26 - Memory Toman

6 - Bob Johnson 27 - Grace Helm

7 - Nate Bryce

Christine McCullough

9 - Tom Mains ANNIVERSARIES

11 - Meegan Ward JULY

12 - Donna Glass 9 - Leona & Lowell Moe

15 - Laura Frantz 24 - Amber & Damion

Kevin Glass Kasper

Michael Johnson

Juniper Vold AUGUST

18 - Bertha Ohlhauser 7 - Jane & Jim Barta

19 - Jeff Krueger 10 - Janet & Dave

John Masson Gustafson

20 - Courtney Gustafson 12 - Karen & Bink Drouet

22 - Karl Van Orsdel 13 - Kathy & Jon Brandt

23 - Mary Jahnke 16 - Courtney & John

29 - Leona Moe Gustafson

BAPTISMAL ANNIVERSARIES

1 - Lowell Moe 10 - Kolu Westcott

4 - Jean Frantz 15 - Laura Frantz

12 - Patrick Dodd 16 - Lela Wubitu Olienyk

14 - Peter Helikson 17 - Dan Bowers

19 - Samantha Cairnes Corrie Gustafson

20 - Lori Olienyk Kim Weiherman

26 - Camille Haakanson 21 - Lloyd Helikson

30 - Kevin Glass 22 - Kate Landon, Natalie

& Everett Brandt,

Annalee Gustafson

24 - Evalyn Buenau

26 - Jeff Krueger

Bob Johnson

Michael Johnson

29 - Bertha Ohlhauser

30 - Memory Toman

WOMEN OF UNITED

NEWS

by Shoran Adair

No circle's are meeting in the

month of July or August. We will start back up in

September.

The Women's Retreat at Camp Lutherwood is

the first weekend in Aug , 1 to 3 . Please registerst rd

beforehand with Camp Lutherwood. Thanks to support

from the Trust Fund and Women of United your

registration fee is only $20.00! Please make your check

payable to Women of United along with the campership

form. You can either give this to Candy Snook or Shoran

Adair.

The Women of United offer camperships to

anyone who wants to go to camp. Campership forms

are located in the Narthex or Church office.

Bible Study Event for the 2014-15 Gather Bible

Study is coming in August.

Place: Peace Lutheran Church, Portland

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2014

Worship Time: 10:30 a.m.

Lunch at Noon

Bible Study Registration Opens 12:30 p.m.

Bible Study Event: 1:00 -4:00 p.m.

Cost: $20.00

Register and order the Bible Study supplemental

materials by August 6. Women of United will take care

of ordering the supplemental materials. We will have

the forms for those interested in going. Contact Shoran

Adair for the forms. This event will take the place of our

normal Bible Study Kick-Off since this is so late in the

season. We can carpool up to the event. Please let me

know if you will need a ride when getting your form to

register. Any other information? Please contact Shoran

Adair.

PRAYER OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE LEAST COIN

O loving Creator, we present ourselves in your

divine presence to thank you for all the bountiful gifts of

life. We’re especially grateful for the Fellowship of the

Least Coin which binds us together in love and

forgiveness around the globe. Free us from all doubts

and prejudices, we pray. Inspire us to live in solidarity

with humankind that we may know the joy of giving

and receiving. Dear God, accept the least coin “token of

love.” Make us mindful of the miracles of these coins.

Let us honor your creation with love, as shown through

the life and resurrection of your son, Jesus the Christ.

Amen.

United Voice July & August 2014 – Page 4

YOU CAN HELP WITH THE

UNITED VOICEJoanne Gulsvig helped

prepare the June issue of the United

Voice for mailing. Thank you, Joanne!

The next opportunity to help with

this activity will be Friday, August

22, at 2:00 p.m. Let Gay Kramer-

Dodd know if you would like to help.

Thanks!

MARRYING IN JULY

Matthew Dodd and Alison

Robert will be married on Saturday,

July 26, in Saratoga, California at

Alison’s home church. Following their

honeymoon in Hawaii, they will be

living in Eugene. Congratulations and

best wishes to the happy couple!

PRAYER WORKS!

As I am sure you already

know, prayer works! In the last

couple months, Sandy’s good

friend, Laura, and my mom have

been diagnosed with cancer. This has been very hard on

all of us. We turned to Joanne Gulsvig who starts the

prayer chain. Those prayer warriors went right to work

and as part of this, we received a special card with

Christine McCullough’s calligraphy. It beautifully said

just the right things. Both Laura and my mother are

doing better, we are glad to say. We are grateful for the

people of United, the prayer warriors here, and our God

who answers prayer.

With love, Mark and Sandy Raney

From Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

May 28, 2014

Dear Friends at United,

Thank you for your recent gift of $250.00 to

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

The lifting up and formation of church leaders is

arguably the most important task of the ELCA. And

our church body has high expectations for its

leaders. . .The good news is that the students at PLTS

display most of these characteristics, or will when

they are finished.

Three years of study and an additional year

of internship are a big deal, and we are working with

people like you in finding out how cost and

dislocation can be lessened. . . We are working to

make every dollar count. So know that we are

grateful for every gift, especially yours!

Rev. Brian Stein-Webber

Director of Seminary Relations

A, Trivia #1: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James

Monroe died on July 4; Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4.

A, Trivia #2: Almost 172 years. Delaware achieved statehood

on December 7, 1787, Hawaii on August 21, 1959.

United Voice July & August 2014 – Page 5

July 6 Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 145:8-14; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

July 13 Isaiah 55:1013, Psalm 65:[1-8] 9-13; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July 20 Isaiah 44:6-8; Psalm 86:11-17; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

July 27 1 Kings 3:5-12; Psalm 119:129-136; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Aug. 3 Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

August 10 1 Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 85:8-13; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33

August 17 Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28

August 24 Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20

August 31 Jeremiah 15:15-21; Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH

2230 WASHINGTON ST

EUGENE OR 97405

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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EUGENE, OREGON

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United Voiceis published monthly by

United Lutheran Church

Editor: Gay Kramer-Dodd

Publication Deadline: The 17 of the monthth

Pastor: Thomas Dodd

Intern: Israel Jurich

Director of Music: Philip Bayles

Secretary: Linda Anderson

Mid-Week Meal Cook: Diane Masson

Youth Worker: Crystal Miller

Coordinator of Lay Ministries:

Joanne Gulsvig

Council: Susan Lunas, Pres., Corrie Gustafson, V.P., Sue

Bowers, Treas., Alan McCullough, Sec., Zach Buenau,

Julie Coffman, Cara Haakanson, Tom Landon, Kim

Weiherman, Don Wirtala, and Rachel Hample, Youth.