Our Conference theme for 2021 is Real Church. It only seemed appropriate to remind ourselves of what it truly means to be the church as we begin to walk through (what we hope is) post-pandemic. What we learned over the past year and more is that the church is not the building, it is not the programs, it is not the potlucks. No, the church is the living and breathing body of Christ, at work in our workplaces, our communities, and our homes. For the next few weeks we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the individual expressions of The Church within The Pacific Conference.

We asked each church to answer four simple questions. We’ll share their responses here.

Getting to Know Our Churches

Dryden Community Church, (Dryden, Washington)

https://www.facebook.com/Dryden-Community-Church-120470204634840/

1. Your Congregation’s Favorite Songs (for the moment):
   I can’t say that there is one favorite song, but we are singing a number of newer contemporary songs with a few hymns included. Some of the contemporary songs I have never heard before. We are blessed to have a new song leader who plays the guitar, a pianist, and a bass player.
2. What is a challenge you’ve faced in the local church because of the pandemic?
   One big challenge has been in just keeping connected with everything on zoom. We are back to in-person worship, which has helped.
3. What is a victory you’ve seen in the local church over the course of the pandemic?
   One victory that we’ve seen is that the church has been able to come together and really work together. We’ve had some individuals who have stepped forward and gotten more involved as we’ve started the in-person back up. We’ve also realized the need, that even though we are back in-person, we still need the online presence.
4. Describe something special you’re planning for the summer:
   We’ve been limited in what we’ve been able to do this summer due to eh extreme heat, but have some plans for this fall.

Albany City Church (Albany, Oregon)
formerly South Albany Community Church

https://albanycitychurch.org/

1. Your Congregation’s Favorite Songs (for the moment):
   Our church has been loving the songs Graves Into Gardens by Elevation Worship, There’s Nothing That Our God Can’t Do by Passion, and the timeless hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
2. What is a challenge you’ve faced in the local church because of the pandemic?
   Because of the pandemic we have had to get more creative in the way we connect with our people. Going from a place everyone came to each week to a time of lock down and then re-opening we have gone to our people’s homes more often and reached out in new ways.
3. What is a victory you’ve seen in the local church over the course of the pandemic?
   A victory we have seen in our church over the course of the pandemic has been an opportunity to change our name into a more vision focused name. We are now City Church! We have aligned our ministries around the idea of being for our city and rebranded those ministries with City name. We are excited about the possibilities to Show Love to our city. We are the same heart with a new rhythm.
4. Describe something special you’re planning for the summer:
   We are planning a Carnival for early September. Our goals is to Show Love to our city through a carnival to celebrate our neighbors. There will be great activities and opportunities for our community to interact with our great people!

Canby Evangelical Church (Canby, Oregon)

https://www.canbyevangelical.org/

1. Your Congregation’s Favorite Songs (for the moment):
   God Is Good All the Time, As the Deer, How Great Is Our God, Lion of Judah, Victory in Jesus, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Shine Jesus Shine, Today Is the Day
2. What is a challenge you’ve faced in the local church because of the pandemic?
   Getting people who are now used to streaming to attend in person so they receive people fellowship and unfortunately finances have lagged.
3. What is a victory you’ve seen in the local church over the course of the pandemic?
   Our new pastor coming mid-September, Rob and June Dressler. Another in the congregation’s hope has never waned in the midst of many events that could have pushed us into the depths! Tribulation, perseverance, proven character, hope, and the result? The love of God has been poured out within our hears! And this is a blessing we want to share liberally!
4. Describe something special you’re planning for the summer:
   Golf Tourney and BBQ in July and Campout in August.

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Before You Go

Please add these churches to your prayer list as they lovingly serve their communities! (Please continue to pray for Supt. Randy and Linda while they are on sabbatical. This is their last week with their family in Scotland.)