The Rev. Chuck Currie

Come What May: I'm Invited To Screen "Pro-Life" Movie

Will President-elect Obama and Congress "make life more difficult for the unborn?"  That's the charge made by Household of Faith Community Church, which is promoting a new "pro-life" film entitled "Come What May."

The Oregon-based congregation sent my office an invitation to a screening of the film.  Read their hyper-partisan invite and my response calling on them to support common ground approaches advocated by the president-elect to reduce the number of abortions and to support families.

Response from Rev. Chuck Currie to Household of Faith Community Church.    

(Note how they assume all pastors are men).

Live On KEX Tuesday AM; Live ON KBOO Tuesday PM

Tuesday morning around 8:20 (maybe a little after) I'll be on the air with Paul Linnman on 1190 KEX to talk about why I'm opposed to Oregon Measure 62.  You can get a preview of what I'll say by clicking here.

Later in the day I'll be in the studios of KBOO radio for a 6 pm discussion on how gender impacts homelessness.  This is really a great conversation to have and you can listen to the show - Outloud - both on air and on the internet.

So tune in.  The lines will be open on KBOO with questions.

One 2008 Christian Voters' Guide To Oregon's Fall Ballot Measure

As a member of the Public Policy Committee for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO), one of the responsibilities I share with other committee members is in making recommendations as to what ballot measures EMO should support or oppose each election cycle.  EMO's Fall 2008 voter guide is now available.  The introduction states:

This voters’ guide to ballot measures for the Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, statewide general election in Oregon is provided as an educational resource by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) Board of Directors and Public Policy Committee. EMO is a statewide, ecumenical association working to respond to the needs of Oregonians.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s position statements reflect a vote of its board of directors based on the recommendations of its Public Policy Advocacy Committee.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon has adopted a “Statement of Social Principles,” which guides our public policy advocacy work. In this statement, we affirm the value of involvement with civic affairs and the governmental process:

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon believes that the demands of the Gospel and our understanding of our diverse religious traditions call us to participate in civic life. Our faith traditions give us a unique and important perspective to offer the community in deliberations on civic, legislative and governmental matters. EMO believes that every person should be given the opportunity to be informed about the policies and processes of government at every level.

As we consider each ballot measure, we keep in mind this statement of principles and seek to make recommendations that are consistent with our past positions and our biblical and theological core principles. We ask that you prayerfully consider the wisdom of your own tradition and process of discernment in exercising your civic duty.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland and the Greek Orthodox Church abstained from EMO’s deliberations regarding the November ballot measures. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese releases all public policy statements through the Oregon Catholic Conference.

Here is how we came down on the ballot measures up for consideration this fall:

Measure 54: Deletes unenforceable constitutional language
Vote YES

Measure 55: Minor redistricting change
No Position

Measure 56: Eliminates double majority requirement
Vote YES

Measure 57: Increases sentences for specified crimes
Vote NO

Measure 58: Limits bilingual education
Vote NO

Measure 59: Tax break for high-income taxpayers
Vote NO

Measure 60: Teacher evaluation based on “performance”
Vote NO

Measure 61: Mandatory minimum prison sentences
Vote NO

Measure 62: Dedicates lottery funds to law enforcement
Vote NO

Measure 63: Eliminates specified building permit requirements
Vote NO

Measure 64: Cuts political funds for public employee unions
Vote NO

Measure 65: Creates open primary elections
No Position

Download the full voter guide to read our reasoning on each of these recommendations.  Copies of the ballot guides are available for bulk purchase for use in churches and other groups.  Please contact EMO at 503-221-1054 or e-mail emo@emoregon.org.

Live Blogging The Interfaith Forum on Ethics of Torture and Human Rights Pt. 3

The Rev. Dr. George Hunsinger has taken the stage here at Portland's Interfaith Forum on Ethics of Torture and Human Rights.  Dr. Hunsinger is the founder of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and Hazel Thompson McCord Chair of Systematic Theology at Princeton Seminary.

He has been talking about how small the movement against torture was in 2005 and 2006 when he first formed the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.  Churches and other religious groups failed at first, he suggests, to respond to the crisis to scandal exposed by Abu Ghriab.  Now most major religious organizations have spoken out and demanded an end to torture by the U.S. Government and others.      

Dr. Hunsinger believes that the use of torture is one of the most important moral issues of our time - and he is right.  He is urging both political parties to place planks in their platforms rejecting the use of torture.  Click here to learn more.

The work undertaken by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture provides us with an example of how religious communities can make a difference.   

Live Blogging The Interfaith Forum on Ethics of Torture and Human Rights

Today over 100 people have gathered in NE Portland to attend the Interfaith Forum on Ethics of Torture and Human Rights, an event sponsored in part of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

As background, it should be noted that many Oregon religious leaders - myself included - went on record this year in a letter to U.S. Senator Gordon Smith opposing torture.   

We are Oregon religious leaders representing many faiths, denominations, and regions here in the state of Oregon. We write to express our moral opposition to the use of torture as a method of interrogation by any agency of the U.S. Government, and to ask you to strongly support a provision of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 that applies the interrogation standards of the Army Field Manual to all agencies of the U.S. Government.

Torture is universally condemned by people of faith and conscience as contrary to our most deeply held values. For Christians, opposition is based, in the words of the National Council of Churches “on our fundamental belief in the dignity of the human person created in the image of God and in the rights accorded to all persons by virtue of their humanity.”

This view is also expressed by the National Association of Evangelicals, which has endorsed An Evangelical Declaration Against Torture. This Declaration is grounded in a Christian view of the sanctity of life, and in a commitment to human rights which finds expression in Christian sources dating to long before the Enlightenment. This statement reads in part:

Human rights, which function to protect human dignity and the sanctity of life, cannot be cancelled and should not be overridden. Recognition of human rights creates obligations to act on behalf of others whose rights are being violated. Human rights place a shield around people who otherwise would find themselves at the mercy of those who are angry, aggrieved, or frightened… Among the most significant human rights is the right to security of person, which includes the right not to be tortured.

The Jewish Tradition also strongly condemns torture, and this has been expressed recently when 600 North American Rabbis signed the Rabbinic Letter Against Torture. This letter states that:

We understand that the most fundamental ethical principle, which results from our belief in God as Creator of the world and Parent of all humanity, is that every human being is seen as reflecting the Image of God. Torture shatters and defiles God's Image. 1 The purpose of torture is to remove a person's pride, humiliate that person, or make his or her life so painful that the person does or says whatever the interrogator wants. Torture 'works' by attempting to deprive a human being of will, spirit, and personal dignity. The humanity of the perpetrators, as well as the victims, is inevitably compromised by the use of torture. Jewish tradition calls for humane treatment even of one's adversaries.

Strong statements opposing any use of torture by the US government have also been issued by The Rabbinical Assembly (of Conservative Rabbis), the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the Union for Reform Judaism and the Jewish Council on Public Affairs.

The teachings of Islam are also quite powerful, “Oh you who believe! Stand forth for Allah witnessing with justice. And do not let hatred of a people sway you into injustice, but adhere always to justice. That is true piety.” (Qur’an, 5:8) The spirit of this Qur’anic decree calls for an end to torture and for the universal guarantee of humane treatment and due process for all prisoners. For Muslims the use of torture under any circumstances is abhorrent. Such means can never serve the ends of justice and peace.

There are of course other, more pragmatic arguments against the use of torture. The most important of these, is that the U.S. must set a standard of international behavior regarding the use of torture. How can we complain when other nations use torture against our soldiers if we continue to practice torture ourselves?

But ultimately, we believe that this is a moral issue that cannot be compromised regardless of the weight of the pragmatic arguments. We support the Statement of Conscience issued by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture:

Torture violates the basic dignity of the human person that all religions, in their highest ideals, hold dear. It degrades everyone involved -- policy-makers, perpetrators and victims. It contradicts our nation's most cherished ideals. Any policies that permit torture and inhumane treatment are shocking and morally intolerable. Nothing less is at stake in the torture abuse crisis than the soul of our nation. What does it signify if torture is condemned in word but allowed in deed? Let America abolish torture now -- without exceptions.

We ask you, Senator Smith, to act strongly in support of policies that clarify once and for all that no agency of the United States may ever use torture, by supporting the application of the US Army Field Manual interrogation standards to all agencies of the US government, including the CIA, and to all sub-contractors of US government agencies.

The first speaker this morning is Dr. Richard Amesbury, Associate Professor of Ethics; Associate Professor of Religion, Claremont Graduate University.  He is the author of the new book Faith and Human Rights: Christianity and the Global Struggle for Human Dignity (Fortress, 2008). 

Oregon Sets Forums On Ethics of Torture & Human Rights

Three Oregon cities will host interfaith discussions in July on the "Ethics of Torture & Human Rights."  Dr. George Hunsinger, founder of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, will be the keynote speaker.

• Portland—Interfaith Forum on Wednesday, July 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 NE Hancock Street. Fee: $15, includes lunch.
• Eugene—Lecture by George Hunsinger on Wednesday, July 23, 7:30 to 9 p.m., at Central Presbyterian Church, 555 E. 15th Avenue. No fee, but please fill out and send attached registration form.
• Bend—Lecture by George Hunsinger on Thursday, July 24, 12 to 1:30 p.m., at Nativity Lutheran Church, 60850 Brosterhous Road. Fee: $10, includes lunch.

Click here for the brochure.

Oregon religious leaders have campaigned against the use of torture by U.S. forces involved in military conflict.

Tonight Was A "Steve Novick" Night

We've just returned from a fund raising event for Steve Novick, one of two leading candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate from Oregon.  Former Governor John Kitzhaber was the host.  We saw many friends from various parts of our lives there.  If you haven't voted yet be sure you do.  Steve Novick is the only candidate standing up for progressive values with detailed plans for legislation.  That's why I support him.  We need his voice in the United States Senate.

Katherine and Frances, by the way, have become mini-celebrities during this senate race.  A photo of the two of them can be seen on Steve's website and several people came up tonight not to talk to us - the parents - but to shake hands with the twins.

Steve and the twins

Steve and Governor Kitzhaber

Liz talked with long-time friend Marie.

Frances and Katherine do a little dance and show how fun political events can be.

Oregon May 2008 Primary: My Endorsements

Ballots have been mailed out now to Oregon voters and decision time has arrived.  Voting matters (anyone who thinks otherwise should remember the year 2000 when the national election was stolen and events were set in motion that would led us to war and economic woes).  So here is how I plan to vote in some of the contested races:

President

Barack Obama is my choice.  No shock there.  I first endorsed Senator Obama about a year ago and have had the chance to meet him twice since then.  He was against the war when his main opponent – Senator Clinton – folded in the face of poll numbers and endorsed George W. Bush’s crusade.  Senator Obama has detailed positions on the environment and poverty and I expect if elected he won’t abandon his values.

Related Link:  Why I'm Joining Obama for America

United States Senate

Steve Novick has had a solid reputation in Oregon politics for many years.  My wife worked with him on the campaigns to beat back Bill Sizemore’s attempts to gut funding for Oregon’s schools and social service programs.  He won me over when he became the first and only senate candidate to offer up a detailed plan to fight poverty.  Jeff Merkley, his primary opponent, hasn’t offered much in the way of specifics and has engaged in negative campaigning.  Novick, on the other hand, reminds me of Paul Wellstone and Wayne Morris, two political legends from the senate.

Related Link:  Steve Novick Endorsed by Rev. Chuck Currie

Portland Mayor

Sam Adams has earned my vote.  Let me tell you something about Sam:  he worked, as everyone knows, for Vera Katz when she was mayor.  Katz was about as mean as they get and she never forgave anyone who crossed her.  It got to the point that our arguments over housing policy were so heated that she wouldn’t talk to me and had this firm habit of having to go to the bathroom every time I got up to testify at council.  But Sam kept the communication lines open with me and other advocates.  As a city commissioner out on his own, Sam has been a strong supporter of affordable housing and homeless programs.  I wish very much that he talked more about those issues in this campaign but I believe is heart is in the right place.  Sho Dozono hasn’t given me a reason to vote for him but has offered several reasons not to (including negative statements he made about homeless people during the KGW debate).

Portland City Commissioner, Position # 1

I’m voting for Charles Lewis.  Lewis is one of an abundance of Harvard grads we have running in Oregon this year.  He founded a music program for kids and has the endorsement of Stand for Children.  Portland could use another children’s advocate on the city council.  Jeff Bissonnette, who has a solid record in social services, would be my second choice in this race and I hope he runs for another office soon. 

Portland City Commissioner, Position #2

This is the position vacated by Erik Sten, a long time friend and homeless advocate.  Jim Middaugh, Erik’s former chief of staff, is running for the spot and I’m voting for him.  Why?  He knows the issues involved and clearly has the kind of progressive values we need on the city council.  None of the other candidates has his kind of insight. 

Other Important Races

There are, of course, some other races taking place this May.  I’ll be voting for Kate Brown for Secretary of State.  Jackie Dingfelder should be the next state senator in District 23.  Cyreena Boston is running for the Oregon House in District 45 and I think she'll do a terrific job. 

Deborah Kafoury is running for Position 1 on the Multnomah County Commission.  Liz and I would both be voting for her if we lived in the district.  We urge everyone who does live in that part of the county to vote for this experienced former legislator and Transition Projects board chair.

Disclaimer

As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I trust deeply in the Constitutional principle of separation of church and state and my endorsements are therefore personal ones and do not reflect on or speak for the church I serve or my denomination. But as a citizen I believe that all Americans must engage in the political process as individuals for democracy to thrive.  So I choose to be involved. 

   

Why I'm Voting For Steve Novick

Today I want to announce my support for Steve Novick’s candidacy for the United States Senate. My endorsement is a personal one and in no way reflects any endorsement by my denomination or church or their views on the race. I offer this support for Steve Novick simply out of the virtue of being an Oregonian concerned about the future of our national community.

This campaign is about who can best protect our environment, who can best end the war, who can best help ensure that all Americans have health care, who can best get the economy moving again, and who can best address the rising tide of poverty that grips our communities. Steve Novick is that candidate.

He has offered specific plans but more than that in his lifetime of experience in public policy he has demonstrated a willingness to fight for the common good. Steve Novick is a politician in the tradition of Tom McCall, Wayne Morse and Paul Wellstone.

I am particularly impressed that Steve Novick is the only candidate to take seriously the issue of poverty and to offer detailed plans for legislative action that will help Oregon address the issue.

The incumbent in this race has helped to create many of the challenges we now face: he voted for the war and voted for economic policies that have increased deficits and thrown our economy into crisis mode.

Steve Novick’s unique ability to draw people together in common cause will help turn America around and that is why I will vote for him in this election.

Use the below link to download the podcast of this statement for your iPod or personal computer.

Download Novick.m4a

(click with the RIGHT mouse button on the hyperlink and choose “Save Target As” and save to your desktop or other folder – once downloaded click on the file to listen).

Now On ITunes

You can now subscribe to my podcasts on ITunes. Just open the ITunes application and use the search function to find

"Chuck Currie"

then click on the "Subscribe" button.

Related Link:  Steve Novick Endorsed by Rev. Chuck Currie

Related Link:  Chuck Currie endorses Steve Novick

Oregon On The Menu

Back in the late fall we held an auction at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ to raise funds for our ministry. We had all kinds of great items to bid on: weekend get-a-ways at beach homes, golf outings, and hand quilted blankets (just to name a few). Liz and I offered to cook an all-Oregon meal for someone as one of the items to bid on and believe it or not but someone did. Tonight the Martin family came over for salmon, fresh pesto over fresh pasta, locally grown asparagus, bread baked just this morning from a local bakery, hazelnut salad, and Oregon wines and juices. For desert: an apple pie with apples grown right here in the Willamette Valley and ice cream made on the Oregon coast. The best part, however, was the fellowship with Erica, Travis, Tanner, and Russell as they kept chasing the girls around the house (who ran around in pure joy before collapsing in bed) and engaging us with tales of family, pets, and first dates. A perfect Oregon night. If you’re wondering, the entire auction brought in a few thousand dollars. It was a great success and we’ll be having another one this fall as well.

Related Link: Easter In Portland

Liz Smith Currie Interviewed on KVAL; Big Crowds Rally In Salem For School Based Health Care Centers

In a messed up health care system our children need help where ever they can find it - including in the schools.

That is why over a hundred students and health care advocates went to Salem today in an effort to secure more funding for Oregon school based health care clinics.

Eugene's KVAL reports the story with a video report (complete with quotes from Liz Smith Currie, policy director of the Oregon School Based Health Care Network...and my wife).  Click on the link for the video.

This is one of those areas we can really make a difference on and I'd like to faith community to become more involved in advocating for these essential services.

The Hillsboro Argus Covers Weekend Homeless Protest

As I mentioned on this site both Saturday and Sunday, I joined others in the Beaverton-area in a campout to draw attention to the issue of homelessness in suburban Oregon (this was part of the topic I preached on this past Sunday). 

The Hillsboro Argus has coverage of the event posted today on their website:

One by one they lit their candles.

Bundled in hats, scarves and bulky coats against Saturday night's damp cold, the group, members and supporters of the Interfaith Committee on Homelessness, formed a semi-circle, sheltered by the porch roof at the entrance of Cedar Hills United Church of Christ. 

Before them, a row of reporters and cameramen from local newspapers and Portland television stations completed the arc.

The press was welcome. The purpose of the gathering, as expressed by committee, was to "shine light" on a too easily overlooked condition confronting at least 2,000 Washington County homeless residents: only 110 shelter beds available for families and none for needy singles, coupled with a growing gap in local affordable housing options.

The Rev. Mary Sue Evers, leader of the Cedar Hills congregation, led the group in testimony and prayer before 11 participants moved apart to spend the rest of the night in the parking lot. "We can talk about a hand out, talk about a hand up, but at some point you have to ask, what policies, economic structures are there that keep so many people homeless," Evers said.

The Rev. Chuck Currie, of Parkrose United Church of Christ, attended to show solidarity with the suburban activists. Currie, who began working on homeless issues in 1986 as a volunteer at Baloney Joe's shelter then operating in Portland, said, "We often forget that there's a suburban component to homelessness. We always ask people to look downtown."

After extinguishing their candles, most hunkered down to spend the night sleeping in their parked cars. A tent just outside the church doors sheltered others, and Lois O'Halloran and her husband set out to sleep inside large cardboard boxes on a tarp spread under an open canopy.

One of the signs displayed at the site read, "Cardboard should not be an option for affordable housing."

Click here to read the full story.

Why I'm Sleeping Outside Tonight

This post has been updated

With a low temperature expected tonight near freezing I'll be sleeping in my car outside Cedar Hills United Church of Christ:

Please join out "Out in the Cold" Camp Out on Jan 5th at 7PM at Cedar Hills UCC. Most of us can "choose" to be out in the cold for a night. People dealing with homelessness are not so lucky. Experience what it's like. Spend the night out in the cold to dramatize the plight of our neighbors who are out in the cold. Call Eric for details at (503) 357-3282.

The event is being coordinated by the Interfaith Committee on Homeless of Washington County to draw attention to the growing numbers of people who are homeless in the suburbs and other areas outside the urban core of the Portland-Metro area.  The Interfaith Committee was started by members of Forest Grove United Church of Christ and has grown over nearly two years to include many different faith groups. 

I want to be there to show support for the idea that our urban and suburban neighborhoods face a common problem - a lack of affordable housing for those Jesus would have called the "least of these in society - and it will take local, state and national efforts to end homelessness in America.

Related Post: Remarks at Washington County Homeless Forum

Related Link:  National Coalition for the Homeless

Update:  Watch the coverage of this event from KGW-TV.

Update:  Watch the coverage of this event from KATU-TV.

UCC Seeks To Help Pacific Northwest Recover

Earlier in the week here in the Pacific Northwest we experienced a “weather event.” It started with a little bit of snow (a really little bit of snow…which caused me to mock the weather gods after being promised a bigger snow storm). But then came the winds on the coast. Hurricane force winds. And then came the rain. And then came more rain. Floods torn towns apart on the coast and cut the road between Portland and Seattle. At least five people died.

The United Church of Christ is joining other churches and relief organizations in trying to help put the region back together:

The United Church of Christ National Disaster Ministries office working with our UCC Pacific Northwest Conference disaster response coordinator, Ken Colman, is seeking $25,000 to assist with long term recovery. These funds should be directed to the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)special fund Emergency USA marked for "Northwest Floods". Information on how to send funds is noted below. $7,000 from OGHS has been sent to the Washington Interfaith Disaster Recovery Organization to begin relief operations, response, and long term recovery. Information from Ken Colman indicates that UCC churches in the area do not have flood damage. The challenge will be to assist in clean up, damage assessment and repairs in areas where roads have been severely damaged along with homes.

Here’s how you can help.

1. Pray for people who live in communities affected by flooding.
2. To help those affected by disasters you may, send gifts payable to your congregation marked for Emergency USA "Northwest Floods" with the request they be sent through your Conference office on to Wider Church Ministries.
OR
3. Send gifts, made out to Wider Church Ministries and marked in the memo portion Emergency USA "Northwest Floods" to the Office for Global Sharing of Resources; Wider Church Ministries; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.
OR
4. Make a secure on-line donation.

Where Are Merkley and Novick On Poverty?

Check out the campaign websites of Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick and you’ll find at least one prominent issue missing from the debate as these two duke it out for the democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Gordon Smith: poverty.

In part because of economic policies championed by Gordon Smith and President Bush, poverty levels have risen in America since 2001. In Oregon, as the Oregon Center on Budget and Policy Priorities pointed out on August 28, 2007, that means more Oregonians are suffering:

While the typical Oregon household’s income rose in 2005-06 by $1,667 over 2004-05, Oregon was unable to reduce poverty or the percentage of Oregonians lacking health insurance, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and analyzed by the Silverton-based Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP), a nonpartisan research institute.

“The typical Oregon household has seen their income improve somewhat,” said Michael Leachman, a policy analyst with the public policy research institute, “but has not recovered from the recession after several years of economic growth.” Leachman noted that Oregon’s median household income in 2005-06 was $46,349, down $3,100 in inflation-adjusted dollars from the pre-recession level of $49,449 in 1999-00.

“We’ve been on the upside of an economic cycle, but it has not been strong enough to heal the pain caused by the last recession or to improve the plight of the poor,” Leachman added. “As the Governor and lawmakers prepare for the inevitable next recession, today’s news should focus their attention on protecting and helping low- and middle-income families,” said Leachman.

“Oregon needs a plan and a commitment to reduce poverty,” said Charles Sheketoff, executive director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy. The Census data shows that poverty overall remains the same as in last year’s report. According to the Center, households with two or more related people living together saw their poverty rate decline, while the poverty rate among children and seniors did not improve.

Oregon does need a plan for reducing – even ending poverty – and there are people across the country working on such strategies. Neither Gordon Smith or Ron Wyden has never shown any leadership on the issue. I challenge Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick to make fighting poverty a centerpiece of their campaigns.

Audrey McCall

When I was a much younger man a friend and colleague who was a veteran of the Tom McCall years brought me to meet Audrey McCall, the wife of the late progressive Republican governor.  I was there to learn what it meant to be an Oregonian:  Take care of the state, she told me.  It needs to be protected by those who would drain our natural resources for their own personal gain.  Don't give up when causes seem lost.  Tom McCall never did.  Audrey McCall died this week and she was the keeper of Gov. McCall's flame.  The best way to honor her legacy is to fight for progressive public policies aross party lines.  Oregonians don't just owe Governor Tom McCall and Audrey McCall our past.  We owe them our future.  Thank you, Audrey McCall, for giving what seemed like every part of yourself to our great state.   

Wyden, Smith AWOL As Number of Homeless Kids Climb

Portland will be hosting over 600 educators from across the nation on November 10-13 for a conference sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. Sad news will greet the teachers upon their arrival.

A report issued this fall by the state Department of Education documented that Oregon schools served over 15,000 homeless students during the 2006-2007 school year – an increase of 18% over the previous year - at the same time that the federal government cut funding to support this population group by 10%.

It was 20 years ago this month that I first joined the board of Burnside Community Council, then Portland's largest provider of services to homeless individuals. During that time it was rare to ever see families and their children on the streets. Now many communities report that homeless families and women with children make up the majority of people who are homeless. Something is very wrong with America.

Religious leaders from every corner of Oregon responded to the news that over 15,000 kids were homeless in Oregon by writing to Governor Ted Kulongoski, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Senator Gordon Smith asking that both the federal and state government do more to address the growing number of homeless students in Oregon seeking an education.

"The fact that over 15,000 children were homeless in Oregon during the last school year is a moral scandal," wrote the religious leaders. "We are writing to urge both the federal and state governments to increase funding for this vulnerable population." I was glad to add my name to the list of signers of the letter.

The Governor's office wrote back and indicated that the state's chief executive was concerned about the issue but offered no specifics about how he would help. Wyden and Smith? So far neither senator has taken the time to respond. The federal cuts to Oregon schools occurred on their watch.

The religious leaders noted in their letter the importance of public school and rejected all calls to segregate homeless students outside of the mainstream school system. We also expressed support for "economic policies that help lift people out of poverty" and wrote about our opposition to the "present policies that have led to increased poverty in our nation."

"The needs of homeless children and families have been largely forgotten by politicians at every level of government," said the nearly 30 clergy and other religious leaders from across the state. I can attest to that. My own attempts to engage even genuine homeless advocates such as Mayor Tom Potter, Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten and Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler on this issue have met with failure. Our elected leaders seem to have surrendered and raised the white flag. But ignoring the problem will not make it go away.

In the Hebrew Scriptures we read in the Book of Isaiah where God declares God's anger against the powerful as poverty and suffering increases. God asks: "What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor? (3:15 NRSV)" Homelessness is a crushing experience and that is true for children more than any other group. Poverty is caused by economic and social factors more than any other reason and so our nation has the opportunity and the responsibility to change course. People do not have to be homeless. But it will take leaders like Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith standing up and fighting to make that happen instead of sitting in the shadows silently hoping that the world gets better. Oregon's children deserve better.

R.J Reynolds & Philip Morris: Evil In Our Midst

Oregon voters tonight rejected a ballot measure that would have expanded health care programs for children. Tobacco companies spent well over $10 million to defeat the initiative and their bombardment of the airways worked. The health care programs would have been paid for by a new tax on cigarettes. That didn’t sit well with R.J Reynolds & Philip Morris and these companies that make their money off addiction and suffering threw everything they had at defeating critically needed health care programs for kids. You wonder how their executives and employees manage to sleep. This is - if there ever was one – a prime example of human deprivation. R.J Reynolds & Philip Morris have already caused untold misery and hardship across the world and hundreds of thousands of deaths are directly on their hands. But they are not satisfied with all the riches they have gained. They want more. And more after that. If a few extra kids have to die to satisfy their appetites so be it.  That, my friends, is the definition of evil.

Related Link:  Oregon Religious Leaders: Yes On Measure 50

Jefferson Smith For Oregon's House District 47

I had the chance to spend some time today with Jefferson Smith, founder of the Bus Project and currently a candidate in District 47 for the Oregon House of Representatives. Jefferson grew up in the neighborhood where my family now lives and after U of O and Harvard Law School he came back to Portland’s eastside where he has dedicated himself to the cause of encouraging young people to become engaged in the democratic process. Why is he running for the Oregon House? 70% of the kids at David Douglass are on free or reduced price lunch. Jefferson wants to give these kids a better life and to build a stronger eastside Portland. We share the same values. District 47 residents would be well served by sending Jefferson Smith to Salem. All Oregon would benefit from his voice.

Note: Churches are prohibited by federal law from endorsing candidates for public office.  I support that law and want to make clear that any and all endorsements that I make are personal and are not made on behalf of either my denomination or the church I serve. 

Photo credit:  www.jeffersonsmith.com

Do We Have A Right To Die? Assisted Suicide And The United Church of Christ

A group affiliated with at least two United Church of Christ clergy members in California has formed a new project - End of Life Consultation Service – that is drawing fire from those opposed to assisted suicide. The project will “will help terminal patients to access hospice, pain treatment, information on aid in dying options and other excellent end-of-life care,” according to the website of Compassion and Choice.

Click here for the full post.

Oregon Religious Leaders: Yes On Measure 50

Press Release from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

A diverse group of Portland area religious leaders (this week) spoke out about their belief that Measure 50 is a fair and effective response to the crying moral injustice of more than 100,000 Oregon children who lack health care insurance.

Gathered at St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church, a historically African-American congregation in NE Portland, the faith leaders also responded to opposition arguments that Measure 50 is unfair to smokers.

The event was hosted by five religious and community non-profit organizations: Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the American Jewish Committee Oregon Chapter, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, the Oregon Center for Christian Values, and the Urban League of Portland.

David Leslie, the Executive Director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon noted that, “The faith leaders who have gathered here or who have endorsed Measure 50 includes Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders throughout Oregon.  We may disagree on many articles of belief, but our diverse traditions agree on the need to care for all our children, and on the right of all persons to quality health care.” 

David Leslie also read a statement of support from Robert T. Hoshibata, the Resident Bishop, Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.  Bishop Hoshibata has publicly endorsed Measure 50. This is his statement: 

“Because I am traveling today I cannot be present with other representatives of our faith communities who are gathering to urge you to vote for Measure 50.  This measure promises to improve the quality of life for Oregonians by making it possible for children and the working poor to better access health care and medical insurance.  This will enable families to utilize more of their income for food and other critical necessities of life.  We cannot overestimate the many related benefits that will be realized by the passage of Measure 50.”

Lutheran Bishop David Brauer-Rieke expressed the support of the Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for Measure 50; “"Social statements from our Church clearly recognize the health care crisis that is upon us.  We recognize our moral obligation to advocate on behalf of those who have little or no access to basic care and comfort.  Measure 50 offers support and needed services for our children, in many cases those who most need such care and are the least able to provide it for themselves.  The promised focus on rural health care and school based clinics is appropriate and functional.  Oregon youth deserve what Measure 50 offers and more."

The Rev. Alcena Boozer responded to tobacco company arguments that an increase in the tobacco tax is unfair to smokers, “African-American and Latino communities have disproportionately high rates of smoking-caused death and disease.  Tobacco companies often target young people in our communities in their efforts to recruit new smokers.  By increasing the tobacco tax, and using part of that money to fund anti-smoking education programs we can reduce the number of our young people who take up smoking -- and we fund the healthy kids program too.  It’s a double dose of good news for children’s health.”

Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana, the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel described it as a “scandal” that more than 100,000 children in Oregon lack health insurance.  “Children without access to heath care don’t do as well in school.  They become sick more often and miss more school than their peers.  They often defer needed medical treatment, so that they end up in emergency rooms, where they receive extremely expensive care. Ultimately the lack of health insurance can even lead to unnecessary death or disability.” 

Rabbi Cahana continued, “Our religious teachings instruct us that we have a responsibility to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Jewish tradition teaches us that if we can save one life, it is as if we have saved an entire world, because each person’s potential is unlimited.  I support Measure 50 because it will help ensure that no Oregon child loses his or her life for lack of access to quality health care.” 

The Rev. Lynne Smouse López of Ainsworth United Church of Christ noted the high costs smoking imposes on all of us, “We all end up paying for the costs of tobacco use – through higher health insurance premiums and higher taxes.  By raising Oregon’s tobacco tax to the same level as it is in the state of Washington, we can recover some of those costs, and fund health care for children who desperately need it now.”

Stephanie Tama-Sweet, the Executive Director of the Oregon Center for Christian Values, spoke about the way she sees the life of Jesus related to the issue of health care for children, “When I look at the life of Jesus, it is absolutely clear that he cared for children. Jesus saw the beloved nature of children and recognized that God's intention was that they live a full and healthy and safe life. In our society based on politics and business and big money, though, kids are essentially voiceless in securing their own health and safety.  Voting Yes on Measure 50 is the most effective, most secure way that we can ensure that our children have the health care they deserve. Voting Yes on Measure 50 is one of the ways we can ensure our children experience the fullness of life that God intended.  Please join us in voting Yes on Measure 50."

Rev. Mark Knutson, of the Augustana Lutheran Church, said that faith communities are doing far more for Measure 50 than just holding press conferences, “Many of the organizations represented here today have supported the healthy kids program when it was a legislative proposal, and now that it is on the ballot many people of faith are involved in the Yes on 50 campaign.  I personally want to invite all people of faith to join us at Augustana Lutheran Church on Sunday October 28th for People of Faith Get Out the Vote Day, at 2:00 pm.”  Augustana Lutheran Church is located at 2710 NE 14th Ave., Portland, OR 97212.

FAITH LEADERS FOR MEASURE 50

Congregational names listed for identification purposes only.

Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke, Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, Oregon-Idaho Conference of The United Methodist Church
Rev. Alcena Boozer, St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church, NE Portland
Father Armando Lopez, OFM, Ascension Catholic Church, Portland
Father Donald R. Buxman, Christ the King Catholic Church, Milwaukee, OR
Rev. Dr. Dan Bryant, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Eugene
Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel, Portland
Rev. J.W. Matt Hennessee, Senior Pastor, Vancouver Ave. First Baptist Church, N/NE Portland
Rev. Mark Knutson, Augustana Lutheran Church, Portland
Rabbi Annette Koch, Beit Haverim/South Metro Jewish Congregation
Rev. Chuck Currie, Parkrose Community UCC, Portland
Rev. Benjamin Dake, First Presbyterian Church, Cottage Grove
Pastor Karen Edwards, Faith Lutheran, Keizer
Rev. Lowell Greathouse, First United Methodist Church, Portland
Rev. Kent Harrop, First Baptist Church, McMinnville
Rabbi Daniel Isaak, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland
Rev. Gail McDougle, First Congregational Church (UCC), Salem
Rev. David Nagler, Nativity Lutheran Church, Bend
Rev. Lynne Smouse López, Ainsworth United Church of Christ, Portland
Rev. John Pitney, Pastor, FirSt United Methodist Church of Eugene
Rev. Cecil Prescod, Ainsworth UCC, Portland
Rev. Jim Boston, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Grants Pass
Shahriar Ahmed, President, Bilal Masjid Mosque, Beaverton
Rev. Barbara J. Campbell, St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Portland
Fr. John Reutter-Harrah, Pastor, Prince of Life Lutheran, Oregon City
Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Portland
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, First Unitarian Church, Portland
Rev. Wendy Woodworth, Fremont United Methodist Church, Portland
Dale C. Harris, Retired United Methodist pastor
Gregory Hamilton, President, Northwest Religious Liberty Association
The Oregon Center for Christian Values
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
American Jewish Committee, Oregon Chapter

Oregon's Anti-Gay Campaigns Helped State (In Their Own Way)

Good news to mention: opponents of two new state civil rights laws here in Oregon – one banning discrimination in the work place against gays and lesbians and the other extending civil union benefits to same sex couples – have failed in their effort to collect enough signatures to force a vote on recalling the measures.

Over the last two decades the Religious Right has placed ballot measure after ballot measure before the voters attempting to curtail civil rights for the GLBT community.

The fights have always been ugly and cost millions.  It is a relief that this time we won’t have to spend energy here in Oregon debating once again the merits of providing basic civil rights for all people. 

On the other hand, I have to give credit where credit is due.  Without these ballot measures Oregonians would have never have been forced to confront the issue of civil rights for gays and lesbians so directly.  Our churches, for example, might never had to wrestle with the theological implications of saying to another “your life is not deserving of equal protection under the law.”

Most people know that these anti-gay campaigns have been waged by Christians.  Fewer know that these campaigns have also been opposed by Christians – Christians who have come to an understanding that God’s justice, love, mercy, and grace is available to all.  Without these anti-gay campaigns over the years fewer congregations in the Christian community would have ever declared themselves to be “Open and Affirming” or “Welcoming” or “Reconciling.”

No one knows the full extent of the damage done to people over the years as the initiatives have been debated.  The stress has to be enormous on people who know their rights are actually going be voted on.  That takes a toll, no question.

But the Religious Right never anticipated that one result of their efforts would be to extend the openness of many churches.  The anti-gay movement in Oregon has helped many to reject the more narrow impulses of Christian tradition and to shine a light of hope where before for many there was only darkness and emptiness in our sanctuaries.

Members of the Community of Welcoming Congregations

Our Member Congregations

• Buddhist
  • The Dharma Center, Klamath Falls ⇒
    9669 Highway 140 E.

    Klamath Falls, OR 97601 map
• Catholic
  • Journey/ Koinonia Catholic Community, Portland ⇒
    St. Stephens Episcopal Church
    SW 13th and Clay

    Portland, OR 97225 map
  • St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Portland ⇒
    806 NE Alberta St.

    Portland, OR 97211 map
  • St. Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church, Portland ⇒
    330 SE 11th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97214 map
  • St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Portland ⇒
    2408 SE 16th Ave