In The Community

Pastor Cynthia, Activist in the Community

Pastor Cynthia is a strong believer in community involvement, and her outreach brings an interesting and eclectic mix of visitors to our services. It is not unusual for our members to meet local candidates, dignitaries, and activists, all of whom are drawn by her civic-mindedness, intelligence, and warmth. Many find themselves joining our congregation, enriching our fellowship and inspiring us to become more involved.

I first met Pastor Cynthia at a City of Gresham Government Affairs lunch, where she impressed me with her community spirit and energy. She was quick to invite me to visit her church, and I was intrigued enough to keep coming back. It was only later than I discovered her involvement with the Government Affairs Council was just the tip of the iceberg! She seems to know all the local legislators, and her activism extends to membership on the Gresham Center for the Arts Foundation (which raises funds and coordinates community involvement with the new Center for the Arts) and meeting regularly with Compassion Connect and Pray East County.

In addition to these activities, Pastor Cynthia stays connected to others via her active involvement on the Internet through the social networking site Facebook. She is a vibrant, involved leader of our church, and she serves as a role model for all of us in outreach to the wider community. --Tricia Aynes, new member

Local Charities Welcome Volunteers

Bethany House: Volunteers are needed who have expertise in crafts (quilting & Knitting), budgeting, yard cleanup, plumbing, painting and carpet cleaning. Contact Char Davis, 503-667-8409 Bethany House Website

Human Solutions: Volunteers needed for clerical work, computer skills, Helping Hands Shop (27th & Powell), special events and Christmas Holiday Store. Contact Kristine Timlotte, 503-548-0228

Loaves & Fishes, Meals on Wheels: SMPC members volunteer at Cherry Blossom on the 3rd Friday and 5th Tuesday from 9 to noon, putting together meals or making deliveries to homebound seniors. Contact Bonnie Teschner, 503-736-6325 ext. 25937 or email bteschner@ifcpdx.org Website

Mt Hood Medical Center: Volunteer openings for a minimum of 1 year commitment (4 hour shifts per week). Contact Barbara, Volunteer Coordinator, 503-674-1217.

My Father's House Community Shelter: Volunteers are needed for childcare, taking residents to appointments, facility maintenance, picking up furniture donations, folding newsletters on bi-monthly basis. Contact Heather, Volunteer Coordinator, 503-492-3046 or online. website

Pregnancy Resource Center: Volunteer opportunities are available and PRC can use your help. Contact Cindy Reeves, 503-666-6527.

Snow Cap Community Charities: Volunteers needed to stock pantry on Mondays, drivers needed any day, Food 2 You deliveries on last Tuesday of the month. Contact Danni, Volunteer Coordinator, 503-674-8785 on online at www.snowcap.org.

SOLV has events all over Oregon and many in our area where volunteers can help clean or plant or dozens of other things to help out others.
Click here for more information.

Zarephath Kitchen: SMPC members volunteer on Thursday mornings making and serving lunch to those who are in need of a meal. Contact Betty Guerrettez, 503-667-2692.

Zarephath Kitchen

Smith Memorial people are making a difference: In the heart of historic Gresham, the stately white homes on Ava Street are tidy and well kept. But beneath the exterior of house number 57, a community of well-organized volunteers cook weekday meals for almost 200 people.

Zarephath Kitchen, the 1985 innovation of two women from Trinity Lutheran Church, has the reputation of serving the best-cooked meal in town to those in need. The Kitchen, which derives its name from the Bible story of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath in 1 Kings 17, has been running for 22 years with around 100 regular volunteers from various area churches. Initially, there was negative feedback from the neighbors, but as the Kitchen has grown in popularity and success, the neighbors have quieted and the number of people served grows continually larger.

"On average, the attendance in the two hours can range from 100 to 200," said Sonja Flener, a regular volunteer for ten years, "though it's always heavier at the end of the month. We see some of the same faces for years but there are always new people."