Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2014)
december18 2014 VERNONIA’S volume8 issue24 www.vernoniasvoice.com reflecting the spirit of our community Changes Happening at Grace Family Fellowship The Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia For more photos turn to page 15. There are several changes taking place at the Grace Family Fellowship church in Ver- nonia, some of them bigger than others. The biggest news coming from the office of Pastor Mac McCallum is the confir- mation that his congregation has purchased the property at 359 A Street adjacent to their home to a fire. McCallum says the parsonage will be designated as a youth campus for high school students to hold bible study. It will also be used for Vacation Bible School activities. Congregation member Jack Lindsley mentioned the possibility that the building may church property. The new property contains the chapel and parsonage building that belonged to the former Covenant Church of Vernonia and doubles the size of the current Grace Family Fellowship campus. According to Pastor McCallum, Grace Family Fellowship has been in negotiations with John Murray, the pastor at the Covenant Church, and have signed a contract to pay for the property over several years. “Our intention is to use this property to serve the needs of the community,” said McCallum. McCallum noted that the chapel has already been used to store items that were do- nated to help a family who recently lost their also be used to house the Vernonia Senior Cen- ter and their meals program while they attempt to relocate their facility. The chapel will be used on a weekly basis as a children’s church, where the congre- gation can hold youth church services. It can also accommodate small weddings, funerals and other services. “This will give us some room to grow and allow more people to get involved in min- istry, which is what we are really about here,” said McCallum. According to McCallum and Lindsley the initial $32,000, which covers the first annual payment and needed repairs, has been pledged and mostly raised in just three months by members of the congregation. “I am just so impressed by our congre- gation’s response to our challenge of faith,” said McCallum. “God calls for faith and times of action and this has increased our faith all around.” The newly purchased buildings have a wonderful history and story as the former First Baptist Church, according to Lindsley. The chapel was rebuilt from the ground up by volunteers after being damaged by the 1996 flood, explains Lindsley, who was part of that effort. The damaged building was de- molished and volunteers from New Mexico and work crews from Mississippi and Ken- tucky worked side by side with local church volunteers, congregation members, and local community members to rebuild it. “I am ex- tremely thankful to the folks that were a part of that ministry that rebuilt that chapel so that now it can be revived,” said McCallum. McCallum noted that the chapel does need some repairs including a new roof which will be installed immediately. There is also some additional repairs and clean up that needs to be done on both of the new buildings. “We really have a vision to get it inside 3 this place we call home 10 all things peppermint 15 spirit of christmas in vernonia 23 the nutcracker free continued on page 21 Indigo Ranch: Where Caring for Dogs is a Passion Many people who have dogs consider them a part of their family. They buy them special food and treats, beds and other furniture, even clothing. We care for, and about, our dogs like... well, like they are our best friends. But what happens when, in the course of modern life, we need to travel or leave our friends behind for an extended period of time? Many people choose to board their dogs in a kennel but have mixed feelings about leav- ing their dogs there. provides what they call “Home Style” boarding in a unique coun- try setting. With two acres of fenced runs where dogs can be outside in the fresh air to run and play, along with three separate dormitories with couches, Indigo Ranch’s caring and compassion- ate staff provide all the comforts of home for your dogs. That care includes 24/7 on-site personnel. Indigo Ranch is a fund- raising arm for Indigo Rescue, a local animal rescue nonprofit. Formed in 1998, Indigo Rescue Angela Bettencourt with Shiloh. Indigo Ranch in Vernonia is a place where you can board your dogs—and feel good about it—for several reasons. Located on sixteen acres on Airport Road, just past the Vernonia Airport, Indigo Ranch has worked closely with local animal shelters, mostly in the Washington County and Portland area to rescue animals who have run out of time or were having a difficult time finding homes in the continued on page 4
