Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon regularly talks about its combination of upstream and downstream efforts. This sentiment speaks to why I give to EMO, both with my time as a board … Continue reading Cat: The Story of a Generous Donor
Olivia: The Story of a Jesuit Volunteer
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to have a place to call home and a fair shot at an education.” I grew up the child of two former Jesuit Volunteers and attended … Continue reading Olivia: The Story of a Jesuit Volunteer
Yahya: The Story of a Staff Member
Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR) recently celebrated its 40th year of operation and the resettlement of more than 25,000 refugees. As one of only four agencies licensed by the … Continue reading Yahya: The Story of a Staff Member
Sylvia: The Story of a Volunteer
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP) shattered records in 2020. Economic fallout from the COVID pandemic exponentially increased the need for supplemental food. Between March 2020 and … Continue reading Sylvia: The Story of a Volunteer
Reckoning with Racism
This last June 19, 2021, on Oregon’s first officially recognized “Juneteenth” holiday, over 300 people gathered outside the Coos Bay Historical Society in southern Oregon. In partnership with the Oregon … Continue reading Reckoning with Racism
President Jan Musgrove Elfers announces retirement
Life is a series of transitions, sometimes hard and unexpected, other times perfectly natural. For Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) President Jan Musgrove Elfers, the decision to retire presents a … Continue reading President Jan Musgrove Elfers announces retirement
Honoring the Electoral Process 2020
“The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument in a democratic society.” – John Lewis Fair, safe and respected elections are … Continue reading Honoring the Electoral Process 2020
American Heroes
Our culture is obsessed with comic book superheroes. Their movies draw millions at the box office and inspire merchandise for everything from socks to cereal. Perhaps we’re obsessed because our … Continue reading American Heroes
Observing the Holy Days of April
“Seek joy in God and peace within; seek to rest in the good, the true and the beautiful. It is the only resting place that also allows us to bear … Continue reading Observing the Holy Days of April
EMO Statement on Covid19 Pandemic
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with … Continue reading EMO Statement on Covid19 Pandemic
The Coronavirus and Communities of Faith
As the number of known cases of the novel coronavirus in Oregon doubled Sunday, March 8, Gov. Kate Brown said she was declaring a state of emergency “to ensure that … Continue reading The Coronavirus and Communities of Faith
End Gun Violence Sabbath
Thank you to all the faith communities who joined us, in ways large and small, for End Gun Violence Sabbath during Nov. 15-17, 2019. We’ve heard great reports from across … Continue reading End Gun Violence Sabbath
Standing strong against hate
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed … Continue reading Standing strong against hate
To the Trump Administration: Stop dismantling the refugee resettlement work, America’s greatest faith-government partnership!
Last week’s news, if not a surprise, was a shock. President Trump set the refugee limit at 18,000 for the coming year, advancing the administration’s sustained effort to dislodge faith … Continue reading To the Trump Administration: Stop dismantling the refugee resettlement work, America’s greatest faith-government partnership!
The Prophetic edge, mutual accompaniment and the Common Table
Portland’s most recent showdown between Antifa and the Proud Boys wasn’t as violent as perhaps it could have been. But the lead up made it clear to many of us … Continue reading The Prophetic edge, mutual accompaniment and the Common Table
Words Do Matter
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn … Continue reading Words Do Matter
Reflection on the Fourth of July
“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” Supreme Court Justice Thurgood … Continue reading Reflection on the Fourth of July
Faith Leader Letter to help prevent gun violence – sign on today
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon invites Oregon faith leaders from all religious backgrounds and all parts of our state to sign onto a letter in support of two bills currently being … Continue reading Faith Leader Letter to help prevent gun violence – sign on today
Youth Justice bill passes – hooray!
EMO is encouraged by the news that today our State Senate passed the important reforms of SB 1008, the Juvenile Justice sentencing bill. Below is the press release from Senator … Continue reading Youth Justice bill passes – hooray!
Keep acting for justice!
Upcoming Justice Events and Trainings – Spring 2019 Catholic Prison Ministry Coalition – April 3, 2019 – Webinar Training Series on Prison Ministry – “Recruiting Volunteers to Ministry to the Incarcerated … Continue reading Keep acting for justice!
EMO supports Justice Reinvestment Accountability and Equity Act
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon supports the Accountability and Equity Act (HB 3064). As we state in our public testimony on the bill, here’s why: Justice Reinvestment has been a success, … Continue reading EMO supports Justice Reinvestment Accountability and Equity Act
SOAR Immigration Legal Services Client Spotlight
Saalim Saalim spent twenty-three years in and out of a refugee camp in Kenya. He was born in Somalia to his Indian mother and Yemeni father, but even the cultural … Continue reading SOAR Immigration Legal Services Client Spotlight
Lift Every Voice: Why EMO wants to prevent gun deaths.
A statement by Rev. Audrey Zunkel-deCoursey, of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Remarks shared in part at Lift Every Voice Oregon press conference January 17, 2019. Photos from LEVO rally and … Continue reading Lift Every Voice: Why EMO wants to prevent gun deaths.
EMO Amicus Brief success
On January 31, 2019, the Oregon Supreme Court released a ruling in support of the position argued by EMO and its partners in an Amicus Brief, filed by our friends … Continue reading EMO Amicus Brief success
Portland State University students explore “why prisons?”
EMO’s Communities of Support and Accountability (CoSA) is excited to serve once again as the community partner for a senior capstone class at Portland State University (PSU), under the professorship … Continue reading Portland State University students explore “why prisons?”
Justice for Migrants: Beyond Labels
Standing at the prison fence This past Sunday, I participated in the interfaith worship service held just outside the fence to the federal prison at Sheridan, Oregon, hosted by IMIrJ … Continue reading Justice for Migrants: Beyond Labels
Criminal Justice Sabbath: It’s all one struggle
The nation’s eyes are on our justice system. The traumas children and parents are facing at our border are heart-breaking. Their stories should transform our legal system, our foster care … Continue reading Criminal Justice Sabbath: It’s all one struggle
Historical context for the prison abolition movement
A recent article “Think prison abolition in America is impossible? It once felt inevitable” in the Guardian newspaper lifts up the history of movement for prison reform and abolition. Read … Continue reading Historical context for the prison abolition movement