“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
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 considered in the Oregon Senate. Read the letter we wrote with our partners at Lift Every Voice Oregon to express support for two important measures that … 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 Jackie Winters, sponsor of this important bipartisan legislation: Oregon Senate Passes Legislation Giving Youth Offenders a Second Look SALEM, Ore. – Today, the Oregon Senate … 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 and their Loved Ones” Restorative Dialogue Facilitator Training – April 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 – City of Beaverton, Beaverton Center for Mediation and Dialogue Roman … 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, saving the state funds, advancing public safety, and investing in local victim services. Importantly, it has reduced the number of lives impacted by imprisonment. The … 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 diversity of his family and community didn’t prepare him for the culture shock he would experience upon arrival in the U.S. In an interview with … 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 vigil on January 27, 2019. EMO is an association of Christian congregations, denominations, organizations and interfaith partners. Our members and partners reside in every corner … 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 at Partnership for Safety and Justice (PSJ). In State v. Vallin, the Court affirmed that the sentencing reforms we and our allies have championed in the … 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 of Dr. DeEtte Beghtol Waleed. Through a series of presentations and conversations with the seniors in her class, we will guide the students toward creating … Continue reading Portland State University students explore “why prisons?”