How families are offering hope for houseless students By Silvia Smart On Aug. 1, 2025, my husband Jeff and I welcomed high school student Ariella into our home through Ecumenical … Continue reading Opening Homes and Hearts
Finding Community through Service
By Tracey Rose The first day I walked into EMO’s Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP) last July, I was in a low spot. I had recently landed in Portland after … Continue reading Finding Community through Service
2026 Collins Lecture with John Fugelsang
At first glance, John Fugelsang—actor, comedian and host of “Tell Me Everything” on SiriusXM Progress—may seem an odd choice as EMO’s 2026 Collins Lecturer. Since 1967, the Collins Lectures have … Continue reading 2026 Collins Lecture with John Fugelsang
Where Do We Go from Here?
We find ourselves in a season where the moral compass of our nation feels under heavy interference of arrogance and hate. When executive power challenges the rule of law and … Continue reading Where Do We Go from Here?
Q&A with Andrea Omojola
The Rev. Andrea Omojola joined the EMO leadership team in January 2025. She provides oversight for EMO’s community health programs including Daily Bread Express, HIV Day Center, Northeast Emergency Food … Continue reading Q&A with Andrea Omojola
Finding Refuge: Stories of resilience among refugees
You have to understand, No one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land. — Warsan Shire The poem “Home” by Somali poet Warsan … Continue reading Finding Refuge: Stories of resilience among refugees
Natural gas is toxic. People need to know.
Cancer. Asthma. Natural gas. The words seared into my mind like a branding iron as I listened to Jules Moratti-Greene, a retired nurse practitioner. “People need to know,” she said. … Continue reading Natural gas is toxic. People need to know.
Bridging the Gap at the Day Center
The Importance of Connection & Community at the HIV Day Center The HIV Day Center is a critical resource for meeting the immediate needs of low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS. … Continue reading Bridging the Gap at the Day Center
Family Reunited
Said lived a pretty typical life of a young adult in Afghanistan. He was a dedicated student and loved to participate in robotics competitions. His dad and many of his … Continue reading Family Reunited
Always Step Out in Faith
Let me begin this article by saying that the true heroes in the Sanctuary Movement are our immigrant siblings who are such vital and resilient members of our congregations and … Continue reading Always Step Out in Faith
A Chance to Thrive
Growing up, my life didn’t follow the path many would consider typical. My mother struggled with addiction, so my grandmother stepped in to raise me. Despite her best efforts, there … Continue reading A Chance to Thrive
Martes Latinos: Food pantry expands service to the Latino community
In early 2023, EMO’s Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP) was providing groceries to about 400 families per week. Of these, the Latino share was approximately 5 percent—far less than … Continue reading Martes Latinos: Food pantry expands service to the Latino community
Groundbreaking Immigration Reform Policy
In the United States, non-citizens experience disproportionate consequences within the criminal justice system, as compared to naturalized citizens. Committing a non-violent offense as a non-citizen can, and often does, result … Continue reading Groundbreaking Immigration Reform Policy
Understanding: The CME Church
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, familiarly known as the CME Church, was organized in 1870 in Tennessee by 41 former slave members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Composed primarily … Continue reading Understanding: The CME Church
Congregation Opens Cottage Doors to Newly Arrived Refugees
This winter, our city experienced an ice storm. Portlanders had trees fall on their homes, pipes that burst and flooded houses, and other impacts which displaced people from their homes. … Continue reading Congregation Opens Cottage Doors to Newly Arrived Refugees
Volunteering in the Family
As I write this, I’m looking at an Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) HIV Services volunteer award hanging on my office wall, dated May 6, 1995. I received the award after … Continue reading Volunteering in the Family
Celebrating 50 Years of Ecumenical Leadership in Oregon
The Rev. Dr. Rodney Page, 1979-1996 My entry into EMO was in 1974, when EMO was formed by the merger of the Portland Council of Churches and the Oregon Council … Continue reading Celebrating 50 Years of Ecumenical Leadership in Oregon
Leap of Faith: My experience as a volunteer home provider
It has been almost a year since my husband and I became host home providers to our student, Katya [name changed for privacy], through the Second Home program. I was … Continue reading Leap of Faith: My experience as a volunteer home provider
Creating Shelter in Oregon’s Changing Climate
Our Oregon summers are getting hotter as our climate is changing. I recently drove to Pendleton with a few staff members of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) to attend a … Continue reading Creating Shelter in Oregon’s Changing Climate
A Conversation We Need to Have
Domestic violence exists in every racial, national, economic and socio-cultural group, including faith communities that often tend to be more conservative and reserved on such issues. This makes outreach in … Continue reading A Conversation We Need to Have
Building Tools for Affordable Housing on Congregation Land
When University Park United Methodist—now Portsmouth Union Church—first began dreaming of building affordable housing on our plot of land in north Portland in early 2015, we thought, “We’re in a … Continue reading Building Tools for Affordable Housing on Congregation Land
My Path to Citizenship
With a broken heart but a suitcase full of dreams and opportunities, I decided to immigrate to the United States in 2016. The thought of leaving Cuba and starting a … Continue reading My Path to Citizenship
Feeding Our Neighbors
Meet Northeast Emergency Food Program’s (NEFP) Manager, Jon Makler, who joined the team last October. For 40 years, NEFP has met the urgent food needs of our Portland metro area … Continue reading Feeding Our Neighbors
My (Second Home) Journey
My name is Savina Zuniga, and I am Paiute, Cherokee and Shoshone. I am 23 years old, and I experienced homelessness when I was 16. In 2016, I found myself … Continue reading My (Second Home) Journey
Combating Antisemitism
Frank’s Mom (in Portland, Ore.): Frank, how was your visit today at Auschwitz? Frank (in Krakow, Poland): It is hard to explain this feeling because the visit went well, but … Continue reading Combating Antisemitism
Voters’ Guide
Coming Together on Ballot Measures Our core mission at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is to bring together diverse communities of faith to learn, serve and advocate for justice, peace and … Continue reading Voters’ Guide
Measure 114: Reduction of Gun Violence
Summary Measure 114, the Reduction of Gun Violence Act, makes several changes to Oregon law. First, it closes the “Charleston loophole”: under current law, guns can be bought and sold … Continue reading Measure 114: Reduction of Gun Violence
Measure 113: Government Accountability
Summary Measure 113 disincentivizes state lawmakers from being absent from the House or Senate floor during legislative sessions. It will prevent legislators from running for reelection at the conclusion of … Continue reading Measure 113: Government Accountability
Measure 112: Remove Slavery as Punishment
Summary Measure 112 changes language in the Oregon Constitution to remove any loopholes allowing for the use of slavery or involuntary servitude. Section 34 of Oregon’s Constitution currently permits the … Continue reading Measure 112: Remove Slavery as Punishment
Measure 111: Right to Health Care
Summary Measure 111 would amend the Constitution of Oregon by affirming “access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right.” Currently, the constitution has no language … Continue reading Measure 111: Right to Health Care
President’s Blog: September 2022
Mariposas Monarcas It’s a hard journey for las mariposas monarcas. They begin their annual Spring migration of 1,800 miles to the United States and Canada from the Oyamel forest of … Continue reading President’s Blog: September 2022
Religion & the Democratic Experiment
Freedom and responsibility. These two concepts were the core of what Benjamin Franklin believed would be needed for a successful democratic experiment. At the time of the writing of the … Continue reading Religion & the Democratic Experiment
Q&A with Tim Overton-Harris
Why do you believe in God? I believe in God because I have experienced the Divine in so many and varied ways in life. Others might be able to point … Continue reading Q&A with Tim Overton-Harris
Summer 2022 VOICE: Understanding Evangelicals
Defining the term evangelical is like trying to untangle last year’s Christmas lights that you promised yourself you would store properly next time. Evangelicals themselves have differing views on the … Continue reading Summer 2022 VOICE: Understanding Evangelicals
President’s Blog: August 2022
Together Again Together Again – A fundraising gala for EMO, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, Abernethy Center, 606 15th St., Oregon City. Reception at 6 p.m., dinner buffet at 7 p.m. … Continue reading President’s Blog: August 2022
Understanding Unitarians
How many times have I heard people remark, “You can believe anything and be a Unitarian Universalist.” Or someone might say, with no trace of irony, “I go to the … Continue reading Understanding Unitarians
My Refugee Story
I am a Zomi from Myanmar [formally Burma]. Zomi is one of the minority groups in Myanmar. I fled my country in 2006 due to political oppression and persecution of … Continue reading My Refugee Story
Feminists Launch Global Anti-war Resistance
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, feminist activists in Russia organized the Feminist Anti-War Resistance—a decentralized grassroots movement. Participants choose their own protest strategies, … Continue reading Feminists Launch Global Anti-war Resistance
These Are the Stakes
In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson ran a political ad that captivated the nation. Sometimes referred to as “Daisy Girl,” it featured a young girl plucking petals from a daisy while … Continue reading These Are the Stakes
President’s Blog: July 2022
Selah! The pause that refreshes. Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly? All day long you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a … Continue reading President’s Blog: July 2022
President’s Blog: June 2022
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and … Continue reading President’s Blog: June 2022
President’s Blog: May 2022
I see you, I hear you, I am with you The journey into the month of May saw more destruction and death in Ukraine, more people fleeing their homes and … Continue reading President’s Blog: May 2022
President’s Blog: April 2022
The angel then showed me the river of life-giving water, clear as crystal, which issued from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowed down the middle of … Continue reading President’s Blog: April 2022
President’s Blog: March 2022
For our Lenten journey in 2022, we will do well to reflect on Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due … Continue reading President’s Blog: March 2022
President’s Blog: February 2022
Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place … Continue reading President’s Blog: February 2022
Faith and the Vaccine
Dec. 10, 2021 As I woke up this wintry morning, I remembered today is my sister’s birthday. This is the day—67 years ago—she was breathed into being, into family, into … Continue reading Faith and the Vaccine
President’s Blog: January 2022
During this first week of the new year 2022, Epiphany will be celebrated. It is traditionally known as the Twelfth Night—the day the Magi brought gifts as they recognized the … Continue reading President’s Blog: January 2022
President’s Blog: December 2021
God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more. The Rev. Julian Rush, … Continue reading President’s Blog: December 2021
President’s Blog: November 2021
When Oceans Collide “You have to love it before you can save it,” says Dr. Sylvia Earle, marine biologist, oceanographer, and former chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric … Continue reading President’s Blog: November 2021
President’s Blog: October 2021
Cempasúchil, Cempaxochitl, Tagetes Erectus, Marigold Flower — origins from Southwest United States to Argentina, usage worldwide As October begins, these golden orange hued, multi-petaled, pungent flowers are gracing our gardens. … Continue reading President’s Blog: October 2021