From the Pastor’s Desk …
The local writer Brian Doyle served as the editor of “Portland Magazine” and authored thirty books. Before dying at age 60 in 2017, he wrote:
“We’re only here for a minute. We’re here for a little window. To use that time to share shards of light and laughter and grace seems to me the great story.”
At St. James we too have a great story to tell. Our God shares shards of light, laughter and grace with us. We then have the freedom in Christ to do the same. But, as Doyle reminds us, we only have a “little window” in which to do so. Will someone mention in our obituary that we shared light and laughter and grace?
This month (August 17th), we will celebrate Betty Bolt’s 100th birthday. We thank God for the continuing gift of her long “window” with us at St. James. You will also note photos in this August Newsletter of our 135th Anniversary last month. It was our opportunity to honor your light today and thank God for all the laughter and grace of visionaries before us. After all, our very lives tell the great story.
–Pastor David
We Welcome Bishop Emeritus Dave Brauer-Rieke …
Pastor Brauer-Rieke will provide leadership as Pastor David steps away from the office to vacation the first two Sundays in August. He is a familiar face at St. James and, before retiring, served for twelve years as the Bishop of the Oregon Synod. Welcome!
Our Scholarship Ministry …
This month our St. James Scholarship Group will meet to award funds to St. James members who are engaged in post high school education. Our thanks to those who applied. The funds will be sent directly to the student’s school to assist with tuition.
Happy Birthday Betty! …
Join us for a birthday reception after worship on Sunday, August 17th as we honor Betty Bolt. This North Dakota native and longtime St. James member will officially mark 100 years on August 21st. Betty and her family moved to Portland in the 1940s where Betty supported the war effort by working at the shipyards. We treasure Betty, Becky and the whole family.
Portland to Coast Walk Relay …
Lutheran Ligaments has a 12 member relay team walking from Portland to Seaside August 22nd-23rd. The 125 mile Portland to Coast course has easy to hard sections of 5-8 miles. Pastor David, Steve Gross, Alan Rutherford and Larry Larsen are our usual walkers. Linda Larsen and Dorothy Cottingham are usual volunteers.
There is a team meeting at Larsen’s home August 10th. We hope to have 12 walkers, two vans and three volunteers. Robert Neubert and family may be rejoining the group after 20+ years. Some members have been part of the team for 25 years!
Vision Task Force …
The Vision Task Force has met twice and is scheduled to meet again on August 24th. Our goal is simply to do a “check up” on how the congregation is doing, not recommend big changes in the future. We are having conversation about our website and its message to the community at large. Does it say who and what we are today and plan to be in the future? We will also discuss current programs and whether they need bolstering or are doing great already. We welcome any comments or concerns from our fellow congregational members.
–Cathie Coffman
Parkside Piano Concert: Sunday, August 24th at 4:00pm with David Saffert …
David Saffert is a Portland based, classically trained pianist from Wisconsin. He has been seen on stage in sketch comedy, improv, solo piano concerts, and in his very own music & comedy variety shows. David has worked as a pianist with such organizations as the Guthrie Theater, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage and the Interlochen Arts Camp. He was recently featured in “All Classical Radio Artist Anthology: 40 Creatives of the Pacific Northwest” and was knighted by Portland’s Royal Rosarians. His first solo piano album, “Stopping Time,” came out Spring 2025 and is available at davidsaffert.com. David tours the country as Liberace in “Liberace & Liza: A Tribute” and is currently advised by Bo Ayars, Liberace’s own music director from 1973-1975.
Fall Kick-Off – Growing in Faith …
We begin our educational program year on Sunday, September 14th with a four-session class with members of our neighbors at First Congregational Church (SW Park Ave at Madison). The theme “I am the vine. You are the branches” (John 15) will emphasize our rootedness in Christ and the gift living out our faith in community. Pastor Derek Austin and Pastor David will be our guides. Note that for these four Sundays only, we will gather in Pioneer Chapel from 11:45am to 12:45pm to accommodate our neighbors. So enjoy an extra-long coffee time first!
Knappton Cove Heritage Center Visit …
Come join us for a day trip to the Ellis Island of the Columbia River on the other side of the Columbia river from Astoria, Oregon. It is a privately owned museum. St. James members have a once in a lifetime chance to visit. Unlike in New York, our quarantine station is fully furnished with original pieces from before 1936. You can find more information at the following URL: knapptoncoveheritagecenter.org …
Our member and historian Friedrich Schuler has a key. He will give a tour of this remarkable historical site and narrate the turbulent sailor life at the mouth of the river between 1900 and 1910. On Saturday, September 20th, we will leave in our individual means of transportation to the museum at 10:00am from St. James for the 2.5 hour ride. There will be a 2 hour visit with time to walk the museum grounds by yourself and marvel at the bay. That is followed by coffee and pie time at Astoria’s Pig n Pancake. Then we all head back home, arriving around 5-6:00pm. Look for the sign up sheet, more detailed information and maps and GPS instructions.
