Oak Grove United Methodist
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Meet our Pastor

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The Long Goodbye
 
 
Dear Beloved People of Oak Grove United Methodist Church,
 
 
I will be leaving Oak Grove to be appointed as Intentional Interim Pastor at

Montavilla and Tabor Heights United Methodist Churches, on July 1, 2022.

 
I am so proud of Oak Grove!  I am so proud of all of you who chose to show up, pay

attention, cooperate with God, and release the outcome!  I am so proud of the way

you learned to have hard conversations about the discomfort of change!  I am so

proud of how you allowed me to lead you into making your values a lived reality in

our community!


   *Your heart for service has become service ministries that make a real difference

in our community.


   *Your care for children and youth has become relationships with local schools and

more families and kids in our church.

   *Your commitment to inclusion has transformed this church into a place where we

don’t just hang rainbow flags, we actively practice love and respect for All people.*

   *Your desire to practice financial accountability and use modern tools has resulted

in a budget that has run a surplus for the last 2 years and a robust online ministry

including hybrid/online worship.
 
You are not the same church that you were when I arrived and I am not the same Pastor that I was before I met you and this is a good thing!
 
I requested appointment to a new church in January, because I feel that Oak Grove UMC will benefit from fresh leadership and I will benefit from a new challenge.  My Pastoral Calling is very much to the work of revitalization, that is, helping declining churches engage with their neighborhood and become a church that people want to join.  Oak Grove is no longer a declining church.  Now you need leadership that will help you move forward to discern who you need to become in order to thrive in a world forever changed by the pandemic.  Now I need a church who needs some tough love to rediscover their calling to Be The Church.
 
For some of you this is your first Pastoral transition, Methodist style.  Here’s how this will work:
 
   1. I will continue to be your Pastor until July 1, 2022.  I will use this time to help you make a smooth transition and will work with your next pastor to ensure they are up to date on everything they need to know. 

   2. I know there are a lot of feelings to process, so I am available to answer your questions about the process or just to chat and have good conversations about leaving, by phone, zoom, or in-person.  Email me or call the office and we’ll schedule a time to meet.

  3. On July 1, 2022, I will no longer be your Pastor. I will not return to officiate memorials, weddings, or baptisms.  I will not be available for Pastoral care or leadership questions.  I will unfriend all of you from my Facebook account for at least one year.  You will have a new Pastor and I will have 2 new churches. 


  4. Please stay at Oak Grove and give your new pastor a chance. The Bishop and Cabinet very much value the vitality of Oak Grove and are choosing an excellent new Pastor to lead you! They have different gifts and graces for leadership and that’s a good thing! I’m sure that you will love and appreciate their leadership in no time!
 

Most of all, I want you to know that I have loved being your Pastor!
Oak Grove is a fantastic Chuch in a fantastic community and I am so grateful to have been in ministry with you!
 
Sincerely,
Pastor Heather
 

Feel free to drop her an email at pastor@oakgroveunitedmethodist.com

 

Meet Our Team

Stori Long

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Minister of Discipleship
youthoakgrove@gmail.com


Jenny Stults

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Administrative Assistant
ogumc@comcast.net

Our Nursery Staff

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Carol Edwards and Alyssa Fellows

2022 Church Council

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2022 Church Council
Top row, left to right: Devin Valdivia, Chair; Heather Riggs, Pastor; David Richards Oshiro, Lay Leader;  Valerie Valdivia, Personnel Chair
Middle row: Francie Naftzger, Personnel 2; Rhonda McKimpson, Finance Chair; Amy Persad, Finance 2/ Bookkeeper; Jean Fairbairn, Trustee Chair
Bottom row: Rob Engelgau, Trustee 2; Norma Campbell, Tiffany Davis and Paul Potter, Visioneers


Oak Grove United Methodist Church strives to provide a safe space for all people, especially children.
Below is a FAQ sheet about our Safe Sanctuaries Policy.

Some useful forms - so you can print at home and turn in to the office.

medical_release_ogumc_2022-2023.docx.pdf
File Size: 183 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

AKA - Youth Permission Form
​Every youth needs one of these on file for the year to participate in the after school program or youth outings.
Special Income Routing Note
File Size: 23 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

A little note to help funds get to the right account... like when we raise funds for a cause.
Check Request Form
File Size: 320 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

To request payment for budgeted items. 
Payee = who the check is written to
Submitted by = member requesting payment
Approved by = official signer for ministry
Building Use Application

We love our community!  One ingredient for community is space to gather.  The church building is sometimes available to rent for community events, on a case by case basis.  Here's how it works.

1. Check the church calendar on our events page.  Sometimes we're already booked.

​2. Fill out a "Request for Use of Facilities"  form (see link below) and submit it to the church office in person, by mail or by email.
Oak Grove United Methodist Church
14700 SE Rupert Drive
Oak Grove, OR 97267
ogumc@comcast.net

3. Our Facilities Director will get back to you and make arrangements with you for payment of fees if we can accommodate your request. 

Church Members -- Yes, you need to fill out a building use application and submit it to the church office too!  This is how we get your use of space on the calendar and arrange for set up!

Building Use Form
File Size: 202 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Weddings and Memorials
If you are planning a wedding or memorial service, please call the church office at (503) 654-3161.  These are both considered worship services in our tradition and require meeting with the Pastor.   We welcome the opportunity to journey through these important rituals of transition with you regardless of church membership (or non-membership!), but we are not a wedding or funeral chapel.
Oak Grove United Methodist Church - Oregon
Copyright © 2022
  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • Events & Calendar
  • Give
  • Sermons
  • Children & Youth
  • Staff and Stuff
  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Contact us
  • Connect to live worship
  • Deconstructing Racism Resources