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 hearts yearn for people to look up to, admire and emulate. Perhaps we create fake heroes because we’ve forgotten what REAL heroes look like. Let … 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 the darkness. Hard and soft, difficult and easy, pain and ecstasy do not eliminate one another, but actually allow each other. They bow back and … 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 my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 We are living in perilous times: now more than ever, we must hold firmly to the ageless wisdom that … 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 we are able to swiftly deploy the personnel and resources necessary to address coronavirus in Oregon.” (Read Oregonian article to learn more about Oregon’s response … 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 the state about the Sabbath events that were held! Lincoln City held a rally for Ending Gun Violence with 20 participants, receiving very positive responses … 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 by each other. Galatians 5:14-15 Daily, a war is raging within our country. Hateful words are leading to violent deeds. The Galatians text rightly warns … 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 communities from their historic involvement in refugee resettlement. As Galen Carey, vice president of government relations for the National Association of Evangelicals has said, this … 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 that Oregon is now nationally known for this particular kind of political performance art. This presents us with an open question: what actually changes when … 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 to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Nelson Mandela “You cannot reap … 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 Marshall Dear Friends, On the Fourth of July, we take time to celebrate our country’s birth with family and friends. My hope is that we … Continue reading Reflection on the Fourth of July