LIFT (Learning, Living and Loving in Faith Together)

Worship creates an intimate space between me and the Lord, allowing Him to speak directly to my heart so I feel closer to Him.

I truly enjoy playing handbells at our church. This unique form of music is yet another way to express our love, devotion and belief in God. We hope our music helps to prepare hearts for the preached word of God. Join us, and let’s ring on!

Being in choir is like being in a family. We share each other’s joys and concerns. We’re there to support each other. We also laugh a lot!

I love the community and the fellowship of singing in the choir. Singing fills me with joy and peace. With the turbulent world around us, those feelings are sorely needed now.

Leading the SRVUMC ukulele String Alongs has allowed me to stay close to my old friends and meet new ones while sharing my love of music. Everyone loves to learn and loves beautiful sounds. To bring those to a growing community of friends in a way that’s welcoming for beginners and experts alike is a true joy of my life.

I love singing in the Living Water Band for so many reasons. Too many to list. I began my musical journey with a used acoustic guitar and learned Peter, Paul & Mary and Simon & Garfunkel songs by ear. I was drawn to the music of the time that reflected the social consciousness of a new generation that I was part of. I love participating in the Living Water Band for the same reason. It's the music of yet another new generation, even though it is not my generation, and reflects the spiritual consciousness of these times. Singing with Living Water is connectional for me, musically, spiritually and the 'community' of these wonderful bandmates. And it is fun!

I love our Music Makers program! Every Wednesday afternoon I get to sing and play with amazing youngsters not only from our church but from others in our community. Their enthusiasm keeps me determined to provide musical experiences they will love and remember.

My primary goal in participating in Wesley Writers has been to work in a spiritual environment with other writers to strengthen my writing skills and better discipline myself to write on a regular and consistent basis to complete and publish a novel. Sharing my writing with other writers and receiving constructive feedback has been a blessing in working toward my goal.

One Friday, someone in the group asked, 'What are we to make of Jesus?' I made it more personal: 'Who is Jesus to you?' Not to the pastor, the church, or even in the Bible, but to you, personally, in your deepest center? Each of us courageously answered. We listened generously with open minds and caring hearts. A penetrating, highly personal spiritual experience for me and all!

I have found the Wesley Writers to be a valuable resource to encourage me to do something that I started in high school but lost along the way—writing about my experiences in life. The group is very helpful in providing friendly, nonjudgemental advice and the regular gatherings act as prods to cause members to get on with their writing endeavors.

The Big Boys are a group of men that meet weekly to chat about what's on our minds and review the Sunday sermon. After that we listen to an audio book selected by the group and talk about it. It's a nice group. I enjoy sharing with them.

Wesley Writers provided me valuable guidance and literary criticism during the writing of my first book, to be published soon: *Oregon Coast - a Family Travel Adventure*.

Wesley Writers has inspired me and guided me in putting many thoughts down on paper. This is something I have long wanted to do but otherwise I believe I might have completely neglected. Wesley Writers is full of tremendously talented and supportive people!

Writers write in solitude, often losing track of time and blocking out the world around them. It is wonderful to have a group of friends that share the same love of writing that I do. There is so much diversity in our writings and our backgrounds and that keeps the group interesting. I’ve learned a lot about things that I didn’t know I didn’t know!

Many years ago, I went with a friend to The Afternoon Book Group. There I met lots of new friends through great books. Now it is the highlight of my month. We have a group that evolves, expanding and changing. The members have such varied backgrounds, but we all share our faith and beliefs through books. These are many of the best friends I have made at church.

Being part of a small group like Women of Wisdom (WOW) has helped me define my faith, refine my faith, and given me a better understanding of what 'having faith' means. The deep sharing that happens in this community of women has brought us closer as we support each other in the darker times of life and truly celebrate with each other in the good times. We are learning together what it means to age gracefully when changes come, as they do, and I am truly blessed by being in their company.

I have been a member of LIFT since it was started and it has provided me such a solid sense of community within our church. For me, doing bible/book study has been enriching, but just as valuable has been the deep relationships established with women from different generations. These individuals have a solid faith foundation and I have learned a tremendous amount from them.

This is a group of writers who meet twice a month to critique and better our writing efforts. I love the input I receive and enjoy making my writing better. It is also a group of great comradery and support for a small writing community.

Games We Play gathers every second Tuesday for fellowship and friendly competition. Close connections are made over Five Crowns, Mexican Train, or Farkle. Win or lose we all leave with a warm sense of community.

Worship creates an intimate space between me and the Lord, allowing Him to speak directly to my heart so I feel closer to Him.

I truly enjoy playing handbells at our church. This unique form of music is yet another way to express our love, devotion and belief in God. We hope our music helps to prepare hearts for the preached word of God. Join us, and let’s ring on!

Being in choir is like being in a family. We share each other’s joys and concerns. We’re there to support each other. We also laugh a lot!

I love the community and the fellowship of singing in the choir. Singing fills me with joy and peace. With the turbulent world around us, those feelings are sorely needed now.

Leading the SRVUMC ukulele String Alongs has allowed me to stay close to my old friends and meet new ones while sharing my love of music. Everyone loves to learn and loves beautiful sounds. To bring those to a growing community of friends in a way that’s welcoming for beginners and experts alike is a true joy of my life.

I love singing in the Living Water Band for so many reasons. Too many to list. I began my musical journey with a used acoustic guitar and learned Peter, Paul & Mary and Simon & Garfunkel songs by ear. I was drawn to the music of the time that reflected the social consciousness of a new generation that I was part of. I love participating in the Living Water Band for the same reason. It's the music of yet another new generation, even though it is not my generation, and reflects the spiritual consciousness of these times. Singing with Living Water is connectional for me, musically, spiritually and the 'community' of these wonderful bandmates. And it is fun!

I love our Music Makers program! Every Wednesday afternoon I get to sing and play with amazing youngsters not only from our church but from others in our community. Their enthusiasm keeps me determined to provide musical experiences they will love and remember.

My primary goal in participating in Wesley Writers has been to work in a spiritual environment with other writers to strengthen my writing skills and better discipline myself to write on a regular and consistent basis to complete and publish a novel. Sharing my writing with other writers and receiving constructive feedback has been a blessing in working toward my goal.

One Friday, someone in the group asked, 'What are we to make of Jesus?' I made it more personal: 'Who is Jesus to you?' Not to the pastor, the church, or even in the Bible, but to you, personally, in your deepest center? Each of us courageously answered. We listened generously with open minds and caring hearts. A penetrating, highly personal spiritual experience for me and all!

I have found the Wesley Writers to be a valuable resource to encourage me to do something that I started in high school but lost along the way—writing about my experiences in life. The group is very helpful in providing friendly, nonjudgemental advice and the regular gatherings act as prods to cause members to get on with their writing endeavors.

The Big Boys are a group of men that meet weekly to chat about what's on our minds and review the Sunday sermon. After that we listen to an audio book selected by the group and talk about it. It's a nice group. I enjoy sharing with them.

Wesley Writers provided me valuable guidance and literary criticism during the writing of my first book, to be published soon: *Oregon Coast - a Family Travel Adventure*.

Wesley Writers has inspired me and guided me in putting many thoughts down on paper. This is something I have long wanted to do but otherwise I believe I might have completely neglected. Wesley Writers is full of tremendously talented and supportive people!

Writers write in solitude, often losing track of time and blocking out the world around them. It is wonderful to have a group of friends that share the same love of writing that I do. There is so much diversity in our writings and our backgrounds and that keeps the group interesting. I’ve learned a lot about things that I didn’t know I didn’t know!

Many years ago, I went with a friend to The Afternoon Book Group. There I met lots of new friends through great books. Now it is the highlight of my month. We have a group that evolves, expanding and changing. The members have such varied backgrounds, but we all share our faith and beliefs through books. These are many of the best friends I have made at church.

Being part of a small group like Women of Wisdom (WOW) has helped me define my faith, refine my faith, and given me a better understanding of what 'having faith' means. The deep sharing that happens in this community of women has brought us closer as we support each other in the darker times of life and truly celebrate with each other in the good times. We are learning together what it means to age gracefully when changes come, as they do, and I am truly blessed by being in their company.

I have been a member of LIFT since it was started and it has provided me such a solid sense of community within our church. For me, doing bible/book study has been enriching, but just as valuable has been the deep relationships established with women from different generations. These individuals have a solid faith foundation and I have learned a tremendous amount from them.

This is a group of writers who meet twice a month to critique and better our writing efforts. I love the input I receive and enjoy making my writing better. It is also a group of great comradery and support for a small writing community.

Games We Play gathers every second Tuesday for fellowship and friendly competition. Close connections are made over Five Crowns, Mexican Train, or Farkle. Win or lose we all leave with a warm sense of community.