Together Again: A fundraising gala for EMO

PLEASE NOTE: Reservations for this event are now closed.

Join us for a special evening of stories, music and friends highlighting the work of EMO. We will also honor extraordinary individuals and organizations whose courage, moral vision and commitment to action have contributed profoundly to making Oregon a better place. This outside event (under a tent) is the first of its kind since 2019. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to be TOGETHER AGAIN.

AWARDS

• • “Ecumenists of the Year” will be awarded to leaders of Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO): Rabbi Michael Cahana, Marilyn Keller and The Rev. W.J. Mark Knutson. These three faith leaders served as chief petitioners of IP 17 and catalyzed the signature process to get a gun safety measure on Oregon’s ballot this fall. LEVO is an interfaith organization of Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Native American spiritual leaders committed to reducing gun violence.
  • “Emerging Leader” award will be presented to Taylor Stewart, founder and executive director of the Oregon Remembrance Project. His organization helps communities in Oregon unearth stories of injustice and engage in the necessary truth telling and repair required to reconcile instances of historical harm. On Juneteenth 2021, Stewart led efforts to dedicate a historical marker about the 1902 racial lynching of Alonzo Tucker in Coos Bay, Ore.

ENTERTAINMENT BY MICHELLE ALANY
Violinist and vocalist Michelle Alany is a dynamic international performer and ambassador of world folk traditions. Deeply inspired by traditional music, she draws from a wealth of diverse influences and creates original folk songs in the vein of her fresh interpretations of Sephardic, Klezmer, Balkan as well as American folk music explorations. Michelle enjoys sharing songs as cultural vehicles for celebrating differences and appreciating similarities. Her versatility and depth as a performer will stir your soul, delight your senses, commune with your ancestors and ignite your spirit. For this performance, she will share the stage with the Ot Azoy Orchestra, featuring accomplished musicians Courtney von Drehle on accordion, Andrew Alikhanov on clarinet, Josh Mellinger on percussion, and Bill Athens on upright bass.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Reservations are now closed.
Reception at 6 p.m.  |  Dinner Buffet at 7 p.m.
Abernethy Center  |  606 15th St., Oregon City (download map)
If you cannot attend but would like to make a financial gift, go to emoregon.org/gala-give.

SPONSORS (to date)
Silver: Messy Church U.S.A.; Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference the United Methodist Church; Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
Bronze: Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon; Augustana Lutheran Church; Rev. Andrea Cano; CareOregon; Christian Church in Oregon and SW Idaho; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Community of Christ, GPNW Mission Center; Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon; First Unitarian Church, Portland; First United Methodist Church, Portland; Paul & Mariah LeFeber; Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO); NAACP Portland; Neil Kelly Co.; Rev. Dr. Rodney & Sandi Page; Presbytery of the Cascades; Providence Health & Services; Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell and George Crandall; Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.