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).

South Carolina Roman Catholic Priest Says No Communion For Obama Voters

A priest in my home state of South Carolina has told his members that Obama voters shouldn't present themselves for communion. 

"Exit polls showed that Obama won 54 percent of the Catholic vote," according to The Washington Post.

A number of prominent pro-life Roman Catholics supported the Obama campaign (see here and here).

So if they start excluding Obama voters from the table a lot of people are going to go missing (this reminds of a story four years ago from North Carolina).

What else is going on in South Carolina today?  A new report was released that should be of interest to people of faith:

There are 132,000 uninsured children in South Carolina-more than one out of nine children in the state (12.2 percent)-according to a new report released today by Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers.

The report, based on new Census Bureau data, shows that the number of uninsured children continues to grow in the state. The most recent data are for the three-year period 2005-2007 and therefore do not reflect the worsening economic situation in 2008.

You'll remember that the outgoing president vetoed legislation to extend health care benefits to children.  President-elect Obama has promised to sign such legislation. 

And what's going on across the world?

In developing countries nearly 16 million children die every year from preventable and treatable causes. Sixty percent of these deaths are from hunger and malnutrition.

In the United States, 11.7 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.

16 million kids die each year from hunger.  16 million actual living kids.  Bread for the World has more.

Communion shouldn't be used as a political weapon.  It's God's table.  All are welcome.

If The Rev. Jay Scott Newman, preist at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville, doesn't understand that there is a new church start in nearby Greenville - Peace Congregational United Church of Christ - that will. 

I'm Doing Satan's Work (Again)

Don't right-wing bloggers have better things to do than talk about me?  This one is at least entertaining (if you can just pretend you're listening to a tongue-in-cheek Stephen Colbert type show instead hearing it for what it is: hateful and juvenile).   

Related Post: A Podcast Sermon On John 14:6: Finding Your Path(s) to God 

Religious Groups Host Benefit for LGBTQ Inclusion

Press Release from The Community of Welcoming Congregations

Songs of Faith & Freedom II
October 18, 7:00 pm Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland

(GRESHAM, OREGON) – Portland composer/director Dr. David York will bring multiple artistic talents to a concert to benefit The Community of Welcoming Congregations.  Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, local congregational choirs including Ainsworth United Church of Christ, First Unitarian Church, three local Centers for Spiritual Living, Metropolitan Community Church, and individuals will participate in the event to be held at Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane, Portland.

Titled, “Songs of Faith & Freedom II,” the benefit concert will build on last year’s hugely successful event held in Portland’s Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

“Music is the universal language of love and hope”, said Rev. Tara Wilkins, CWC’s Executive Director.  The Community of Welcoming Congregations is an Oregon and SW Washington interfaith ministry that dedicates itself to the full inclusion and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning people.  With 98 active congregations throughout the state, CWC celebrates the diversity of creation by bringing together top religious musicians to offer their inspirational voices to raise support and awareness for their ministry.

Last year CWC organized religious leaders supporting the Oregon Equality Act (SB 2) and the Family Fairness Act (HB 2007), which were passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Kulongoski.  “Many clergy and congregational leaders support gay and lesbian equality”, said Wilkins.  “For us it is a matter of faith and justice to celebrate the gifts of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and the contributions they make to our congregations.” 

The proceeds for this event will go toward the ongoing work of CWC, which will include building community coalitions, sponsoring a youth camp, hosting an interfaith transgender conference, mentoring congregations seeking to be inclusive and providing outreach to those seeking spiritual homes.

NOTE: Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, the congregation I pastor, is a member of The Community of Welcoming Congregations.

"Portland houses of worship try to include challenging members"

Did you hear about the Bertha, Minn. church that kicked out a 13-year old boy with autism? If not, here's the background. When a reporter from The Oregonian called to ask for my reaction my first response was to say:

When Jesus said that how we treat the 'least of these' in society was akin to how we treat God he was talking about 13-year old Adam Race, the autistic boy kicked out of a Minneapolis church because of disruptive behavior.

But I also know the issues are complicated. The story that The Oregonian ran the next day focused in part on the life of a young man and his family - a family that I know - that have also faced the difficulties of autism in church:

Anne Kayser, 45, is the mother of Tom Kayser, 17, who is autistic and has attended First United Methodist Church in downtown Portland his whole life. There have been, she says, some difficult moments. When he was noisy and people who didn't know him turned around in the pew to complain. When he was younger and sometimes aggressive, he would lash out at other children in Sunday school. His parents volunteered to teach his class so they could monitor his behavior.

And the time someone suggested Tom be trained as an acolyte, his mom had doubts. "You want to put a lighted stick in this child's hand and have him walk between hundreds of people?" But he did, with only one close call.

"Now Tom sits with us through the worship service. We've worked on that for years," she says. "He loves classical music, that is his passion. First Methodist is known for sacred choral and organ music, and Tom responds to that."

But, she says, she would not have kept taking Tom to church unless she believed it was valuable to him on another level. "Tom can't understand the theology he hears from the pulpit, but I know he understands that he belongs. He feels at home, safe in a church where he knows most of the people. There is a need for that -- in his life and for most people."

The Rev. Chuck Currie, interim minister at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ in Northeast Portland, says churches deal with disruptions all the time: "crying children, homeless people walking in off the street, people suffering from mental illness speaking out during sermons."

Sometimes, other worshippers' first reaction is "kick them out," he says, but that can't be the ultimate response. "Our call as a church is to minister not just to the well-behaved and the well-dressed. The church needs to be open and affirming of everyone, or it ceases to become a place where you can honestly proclaim the Kingdom of God."

Click here to learn more on these issues from the UCC Disabilities Ministries.

A Prayer For Trees

Creator God,
Out of chaos you brought order.
Out of nothingness you brought life.
In the middle of all life stands the tree.

Trees provide the air that nurtures all your creation.
Birds make them their homes.
Cats climb them for protection.
Trees recycle life that has come before.

Bless the trees of this word, loving God.
Remind us to serve as their caregivers and protectors.
Give them long limbs and long life.
The gift of their breath is as special to us as the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Last year we lost a tree in our front yard.  It had been sick when we first moved in and nothing the tree doctors could do would save it.  A mold had taken it's life.  So last fall we had it removed and replaced with this tree - a Black Gum - that has beautiful fall leaves.  Mixed in with the soil are ashes from our beloved cats, Freedom and Erik Brockley.  In the Portland climate this tree should do well.  Unfortunately, we're not the best garden people and during this spell of hot weather our tree didn't get the water it needed and many of the leaves have burn.  Liz has fixed that problem and the tree should be good to go.  But being a minister it seemed a prayer was called for.  Google couldn't provide me with any (don't people pray for trees?) so I wrote the one above for our tree and for all trees.  Frances and Katherine joined me in offering this prayer as we held hands around the tree.

"Demand that Sen. Lieberman REJECT HAGEE"

I continue to be confounded by how some Jewish supporters of Israel have aligned themselves with fundamentalist Christian preachers.  I'm not alone. Rabbi David Saperstein wrote recently on The Washington Post's On Faith website:

Fundamentalist religious leaders who believe not only that God controls everything that happens but that they are able to see God’s explicit plans within the context of their own political and cultural views should raise alarm bells for those who would ally with them. Senator John McCain faced this dilemma starkly yesterday, and ended up, rightly, repudiating Pastor John Hagee’s assertions that Hitler was foretold in a verse in Jeremiah and that Hitler and the Holocaust were part of God’s plan to force the Jewish people back to Israel.

Jews can empathize with Sen. McCain because we have faced the same dilemma with Rev. Hagee. No fundamentalist Christian is more overtly supportive of Israel, raised more money for Israel, nor used his religious and political clout to more energetically mobilize support in America for Israel. Further, he was an evangelical who made clear that his relations with Jews over Israel would not be used to try to convert us. Yet, his fundamentalist views had led to reprehensible statements about gays, Catholics, and even the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

And his particular understanding of the Bible led him to use his political clout in efforts to undermine support for the Israel- Palestinian peace process and a two-state solution. Nonetheless, it had become common to find Jewish leaders joining in Pastor Hagee’s “Salute to Israel” events around the country and paying public tribute and homage to the pastor for his efforts. Two months ago, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, challenged Reform Jewish rabbis with the contradictions of participating in such events with someone who held views that were anathema to our commitment to tolerance, pluralism and intergroup respect. While I hope that Rev. Hagee continues his support for Israel, which I assume he gives for its own sake, we should refrain from allying with him in any manner that gives our stamp of approval to him generally or to the deeply troubling views he has expressed.

Sen. McCain faced a similar dilemma and decision.

Since Rabbi Yoffie’s speech and the coverage it received, Rev. Hagee has apologized or retracted some of his statements. But now comes the revelation of this most distressing sermon given in the late 1990s and reiterated in several books since then. I don’t believe that Rev. Hagee is anti-Semitic but the words he used are. Blaming Jews for anti-Semitism or the Holocaust is a classic form of anti-Semitic argumentation. If only the Jews had listened to Herzl and gone to Israel, the Holocaust would not have been necessary!

I do not share Rev. Hagee’s belief that God controls every action here on Earth nor that God wishes for every Jew to move to Israel right now. But even if Rev. Hagee does so believe, that his God is one who could only accomplish that by killing 6 million innocent Jewish men, women and children, and 5 million innocent others is mind boggling. Ironically there are some anti-Zionist theological extremists in our community who argued exactly the opposite: that the Holocaust was God’s punishment for the Zionist movement. Both views are equally repugnant theologically, morally and politically. They deserve to be condemned by religious, civic, and political leaders in general, but most particularly by those who have chosen to align themselves with Rev. Hagee.

Here's the full post (though I admit now that I've reprinted most of it because, well, the words are so important even if I would disagree with Rabbi Saperstein's belief that Rev. Hagee himself is not anti-Semitic).

Now comes the question as to whether or not Sen. Joe Lieberman - who last year compared Rev. Hagee to Moses (no joke) - will speak next week as scheduled before the Rev. Hagee's group, Christians United for Israel. 

People for the American Way is calling on him not to:

Max Blumenthal recently uncovered -- and published on the Huffington Post -- that Sen. Joe Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee's 2008 Christians United For Israel Summit this July 22.

This is an outrage.

Reverend Hagee has made hateful statements about gays, Muslims and the Catholic Church and just recently, his comments that God had appointed Hitler to "hunt" the Jews became news. That was enough to convince presidential candidate John McCain -- who had previously courted Hagee -- to renounce the pastor's endorsement. Now it's time for one of McCain's closest campaign advisors, former Democrat turned Independent Joe Lieberman, to do the same.

Following news of Lieberman's keynote address to Hagee's conference, a pro-peace Jewish organization called J Street launched a petition urging Lieberman to reject Hagee and cancel his appearance. People For is joining in the effort.

Sen. Lieberman should not legitimize Hagee. Join our petition demanding that he cancel his appearance at the Christians United For Israel Summit.

http://www.pfaw.org/go/RejectHagee

Every time an elected official embraces one of these fringe, right-wing hate-mongers, it gives them legitimacy they don't deserve.

Sign the petetion.

And thanks to the good people at Talk to Action for their work on this story.

Related Post:  Christians United for Israel: Bad Theology, Wrong Goals   

Related Post:  NBC’s “Revelations” 

Fundamentalist religious leaders who believe not only that God controls everything that happens but that they are able to see God’s explicit plans within the context of their own political and cultural views should raise alarm bells for those who would ally with them. Senator John McCain faced this dilemma starkly yesterday, and ended up, rightly, repudiating Pastor John Hagee’s assertions that Hitler was foretold in a verse in Jeremiah and that Hitler and the Holocaust were part of God’s plan to force the Jewish people back to Israel.

Jews can empathize with Sen. McCain because we have faced the same dilemma with Rev. Hagee. No fundamentalist Christian is more overtly supportive of Israel, raised more money for Israel, nor used his religious and political clout to more energetically mobilize support in America for Israel. Further, he was an evangelical who made clear that his relations with Jews over Israel would not be used to try to convert us. Yet, his fundamentalist views had led to reprehensible statements about gays, Catholics, and even the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

And his particular understanding of the Bible led him to use his political clout in efforts to undermine support for the Israel- Palestinian peace process and a two-state solution. Nonetheless, it had become common to find Jewish leaders joining in Pastor Hagee’s “Salute to Israel” events around the country and paying public tribute and homage to the pastor for his efforts. Two months ago, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, challenged Reform Jewish rabbis with the contradictions of participating in such events with someone who held views that were anathema to our commitment to tolerance, pluralism and intergroup respect. While I hope that Rev. Hagee continues his support for Israel, which I assume he gives for its own sake, we should refrain from allying with him in any manner that gives our stamp of approval to him generally or to the deeply troubling views he has expressed.

Sen. McCain faced a similar dilemma and decision.

Since Rabbi Yoffie’s speech and the coverage it received, Rev. Hagee has apologized or retracted some of his statements. But now comes the revelation of this most distressing sermon given in the late 1990s and reiterated in several books since then. I don’t believe that Rev. Hagee is anti-Semitic but the words he used are. Blaming Jews for anti-Semitism or the Holocaust is a classic form of anti-Semitic argumentation. If only the Jews had listened to Herzl and gone to Israel, the Holocaust would not have been necessary!

I do not share Rev. Hagee’s belief that God controls every action here on Earth nor that God wishes for every Jew to move to Israel right now. But even if Rev. Hagee does so believe, that his God is one who could only accomplish that by killing 6 million innocent Jewish men, women and children, and 5 million innocent others is mind boggling. Ironically there are some anti-Zionist theological extremists in our community who argued exactly the opposite: that the Holocaust was God’s punishment for the Zionist movement. Both views are equally repugnant theologically, morally and politically. They deserve to be condemned by religious, civic, and political leaders in general, but most particularly by those who have chosen to align themselves with Rev. Hagee.

Here's the full post (though I admit now that I've reprinted most of it because, well, the words are so important even if I would disagree with Rabbi Saperstein's belief that Rev. Hagee himself is not anti-Semitic).

Now comes the question as to whether or not Sen. Joe Lieberman - who last year compared Rev. Hagee to Moses (no joke) - will speak next week as scheduled before the Rev. Hagee's group, Christians United for Israel. 

People for the American Way is calling on him not to:

Max Blumenthal recently uncovered -- and published on the Huffington Post -- that Sen. Joe Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee's 2008 Christians United For Israel Summit this July 22.

This is an outrage.

Reverend Hagee has made hateful statements about gays, Muslims and the Catholic Church and just recently, his comments that God had appointed Hitler to "hunt" the Jews became news. That was enough to convince presidential candidate John McCain -- who had previously courted Hagee -- to renounce the pastor's endorsement. Now it's time for one of McCain's closest campaign advisors, former Democrat turned Independent Joe Lieberman, to do the same.

Following news of Lieberman's keynote address to Hagee's conference, a pro-peace Jewish organization called J Street launched a petition urging Lieberman to reject Hagee and cancel his appearance. People For is joining in the effort.

Sen. Lieberman should not legitimize Hagee. Join our petition demanding that he cancel his appearance at the Christians United For Israel Summit.

http://www.pfaw.org/go/RejectHagee

Every time an elected official embraces one of these fringe, right-wing hate-mongers, it gives them legitimacy they don't deserve.

Max Blumenthal recently uncovered -- and published on the Huffington Post -- that Sen. Joe Lieberman is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee's 2008 Christians United For Israel Summit this July 22.

This is an outrage.

Reverend Hagee has made hateful statements about gays, Muslims and the Catholic Church and just recently, his comments that God had appointed Hitler to "hunt" the Jews became news. That was enough to convince presidential candidate John McCain -- who had previously courted Hagee -- to renounce the pastor's endorsement. Now it's time for one of McCain's closest campaign advisors, former Democrat turned Independent Joe Lieberman, to do the same.

Following news of Lieberman's keynote address to Hagee's conference, a pro-peace Jewish organization called J Street launched a petition urging Lieberman to reject Hagee and cancel his appearance. People For is joining in the effort.

Sen. Lieberman should not legitimize Hagee. Join our petition demanding that he cancel his appearance at the Christians United For Israel Summit.

http://www.pfaw.org/go/RejectHagee

Every time an elected official embraces one of these fringe, right-wing hate-mongers, it gives them legitimacy they don't deserve.

Sign the petetion.

And thanks to the good people at Talk to Action for their work on this story.

Related Post:  Christians United for Israel: Bad Theology, Wrong Goals   

Related Post:  NBC’s “Revelations” 

PBS Mentions Open Letter To Senator Clinton From Diverse Group of Prominent Religious Leaders

The Open Letter to Senator Clinton asking her to refrain from using "religion as a tool to divide the American people" burned up the internet this week with thousands of hits.  Website after website passed it along.  Will Senator Clinton listen and tone down her rhetoric?  We can hope.  In the meantime, the Open Letter was mentioned today on PBS's Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.  Click here for the video.

Easter In Portland

Join the people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ (http://www.parkroseucc.org) for Easter Sunday. We'll have an Easter Egg hunt for kids at 8:30 am and worship begins at 10 am.

We're located on NE 105th and Wygant (just off Sandy).

In Galatians 3.28 we are reminded that despite our differences we are all "one in Christ Jesus." Therefore, we, the people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be open and affirming. With God's grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, mental and physical ability, as well as racial, ethnic, religious, political or social-economic background. We welcome all to share in the life and leadership, ministry, and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. This is God's church and no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Click here for a map and more information.

Good Friday Meditation

Check out this Good Friday meditation from my friend The Rev. Raj Bharath Patta posted on the United Church News Blog.

Dalit Christians Still Under Attack In India

Christians in India never have had an easy time. They represent only 3% of the population and much of the numbers come from the Dalits, the untouchables of Indian society.

Dalit Christians are often targeted for violence and Christian Churches find themselves the targets of terrorist attacks because they teach Dalit Liberation Theology, a Gospel-centered theology that argues that Jesus is the central figure in a movement of social liberation. “I have come to set the captives free,” says Jesus.  That's uncomfortable news to corporations doing business in India (many run in the US) and by governments who benefit from the caste system. 

This week The Rev. Raj Bharath Patta of the National Council of Churches in India, a friend and colleague of mine, wrote and told me about some of his experiences over the last few weeks:

This New Year for me started with a pastoral visit to the Christians in Orissa, who were attacked by the Hindutva people during Christmas time. Me and my colleague from NCCI, two CNI Bishops and one Lay leader went and visited the people in Orissa. It was such a challenging time in my life to visit them in such a tense situation. Nearly 50 churches were attacked, and about 400 houses were burnt. Most of the victims are Dalit Christians. The attacks on Christians are so inhuman and several churches and houses were burnt, and the people had to flee into jungles to save their lives. Few of them are returning back now, and find their dear ones missing. The Dalit Christians are living in such a trauma and fear. I think we need to earnestly pray for peace and harmony in that area. Even till today govt is not allowing any relief to be done by the church. The relief given by the government is not sufficient and are unable to cater to the needs of the people over there. When the whole world were singing silent night on that Christmas day, Christians in Khandamal district of Orissa had to witness a violent sight. Herewith I am sending u a picture of a church attacked. We need your prayers and support at a moment like this.

The only threat posed by Dalit Christians is to the powerful and privileged who make their profits off a slave labor class. The teachings of Jesus is this regard are revolutionary and clearly there is an on-going effort to silence Christian voices demanding justice.

Please lift this issue up in your Churches with prayers.  Look for ways to get involved here in the United States.  And keep track of the work being done by The Rev. Raj Bharath Patta of the National Council of Churches in India.  Keep Rev. Raj, his family, and NCC India in your prayers as well.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE. 

A Prayer For the New Year 2008

Loving Creator,

Long ago you brought life from cosmic chaos.
For over 4.5 billion years your creation has evolved.
Along the way humanity has stumbled as we have matured.
Yet you have never abandoned us.

A New Year has dawned.
Help us to make this the year we take our stewardship
   over creation seriously.
Guide us to protect your forests and oceans.
Give us the wisdom to look after all life (even the “creeping things”.)

Help us to recognize the interconnectedness we humans share
   with the oceans, the mountains, the forests, the deserts.
Help us to recognize the interconnectedness we humans share
   with other humans though we may worship differently.
Bestow on us the courage of the Prophets of old so that we may speak truth
   to power in your Holy name.

Another year, O God.
Another year to do justice.
Another year to love kindness.
Another year to walk humbly with you (Micah 6:8).

Praise be to God!

Amen.

- The Rev. Chuck Currie

The Day After Christmas And All Across Portland...

...progressive Christians are busy planning events:

"For the Bible Tells Me So": Film Showing on Wednesday January 30 at 7 PM

Dan Karslake's provocative, entertaining documentary, "For the Bible Tells Me So", brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture. Portland First Congregational UCC is able to show this film through arrangements with Progressive Christians Uniting. A free will offering will be taken to benefit PCU and there will be a time for discussion following the film. The film shares the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson -- and tells how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. For more information about this special event, please visit www.forthebibletellsmeso.org or contact Joyce Liljeholm at jliljeholm@gmail.com

Come Wednesday January 30 at 7 PM.

The Oregon Center for Christian Values & Powell's Books Presents: Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics and editor of Sojourners Magazine On Jan 31st.

What: Jim Wallis is coming to Portland to promote his new book, The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America

When: Thursday, January 31st, 2008, 7:00 PM

Where: McMenamins Bagdad Theater

3707 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214

Tickets: $25.99, ticket price includes a copy of The Great Awakening.

Order your tickets today! Tickets are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be purchased online through the  McMenamins' website or Ticket Master, or in person at McMenamins' Crystal Ballroom (see website for details).

About the book: In The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post-Religious Right America, Jim Wallis reinvigorates America's hope, offering a roadmap to rediscover the nation's moral center and providing the inspiration and a concrete plan to change today's politics.

Christmas In Portland 2007

Visit www.parkroseucc.org for more information

Merry Christmas from the people of
Parkrose Community United Church of Christ

Join us this holiday season for some special events that are all open to the public.  Parkrose Community United Church of Christ  is an "Open And Affirming" congregation of the United Church of Christ.  No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.  We're located on the corner of NE 105th and Wygant - just off Sandy (map).

Christmas Eve Candle Light Worship Service * Mon.,  Dec., 24th * 7pm

Join us in our historic 1913-sanctuary in NE Portland (map) for a traditional candle-light service with Advent Wreath lighting and Holy Communion.  We practice an open communion table.  All are welcome.  The Parkrose Community United Church of Christ Chancel Choir will be performing.  There will also be a special children's time.  The Rev. Chuck Currie will be preaching. 

Our faith is 2000 years old.  Our thinking is not. 

Parkrose Community United Church Chancel Choir Sings at The Grotto * Sun., Dec. 23rd * 7pm

Every Christmas season The Grotto (map) puts on an amazing display of lights and special concerts. Our choir has been a participant for many years.  This year "the Choir has put together a program that brings together old and new, combining both familiar and unfamiliar melodies into pure harmonic pleasure. Don’t miss out," says choir director AJ Wong.

Fourth Sunday of Advent * Sun., Dec. 23rd * 10am

Join us for a traditional worship service including Holy Communion.

Third Sunday of Advent * Sun., Dec. 16th * 10am

Join us for a traditional worship service including Holy Communion.

Second Sunday of Advent & All Church Christmas Pageant * Sun., Dec. 9th * 10am

Join us for a traditional worship service including Holy Communion.  During the service our youth director, Paula Everist, will lead the pageant, "LIVE from Bethlehem," written by Cindy Hansen & Bob Latchaw.

First Sunday of Advent * Sun., December 2nd * 10 am

Join us for a traditional worship service including Holy Communion.

In Galatians 3.28 we are reminded that despite our differences we are all "one in Christ Jesus." Therefore, we, the people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, declare ourselves to be open and affirming. With God's grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, mental and physical ability, as well as racial, ethnic, religious, political or social-economic background. We welcome all to share in the life and leadership, ministry, and fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. This is God's church and no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

For more information on our church:

Parkrose Community United Church of Christ
505-253-5457
office@parkroseucc.org

Marcus Borg & John Dominic Crossan in Portland Nov. 16 and 17

A really great program will be occurring in Portland later this month:

The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus' Birth

Friday Lecture & Saturday Workshop at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
with Marcus Borg & John Dominic Crossan
November 16 & 17, 2007

Join us for a lecture and half-day workshop premiering Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan's latest collaborative book: The First Christmas. Explore the stories of Jesus' birth in Mathew and Luke, their First Century meaning and their meanings for us today. According to Borg and Crossan, history has biased our readings of these texts; we are all so familiar with the nativity story that we don't really hear it anymore. The lecture and workshop will help us see the nativity story afresh and be able to appreciate the powerful message the Gospels contain.

Always a popular speaker at The Center, Marcus  Borg is Hundere Distinguished Professor of Religion and Culture at  Oregon State University and author of The Heart of Christianity. His many  best-selling books include: Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Reading the  Bible Again for the First Time, The God We Never Knew and co-author with John  Dominic Crossan of The Last Week: A Day by Day Account of Jesus' Final Week in  Jerusalem. 

John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus of  religious studies at DePaul University in Chicago, co-director of the Jesus  Seminar, leading biblical scholar, internationally known lecturer and best  selling author. Among his books: In Search of Paul: How Jesus' Apostle Opposed  Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, Who Killed  Jesus, and The Birth of Christianity.

Friday Lecture
7:30- 9pm
Trinity Cathdral
$15 general, $5 students

Saturday Workshop
9am - Noon
Trinity Cathedral
Kempton Hall
$35 general, $5 students

I highly recommend this and will be attending myself with members from Parkrose Community United Church of Christ. 

You can purchase tickets online.

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.

The Rev. Kate Lore!

What a great day! My good friend and colleague Kate Lore was ordained today as a minister in the Unitarian Universalist Association. We worked together at First United Methodist Church until she accepted the position as social justice director at First Unitarian Church of Portland. While in that position Kate earned her Master of Divinity degree at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago by taking classes on a part-time basis (talk about keeping busy). Just minutes after being ordained she was installed as the new Minister of Social Justice for First Unitarian Church. I’m so proud to know Kate. She is one of the most committed people I've worked with in the world of social justice work and the people of First Unitarian Church are blessed to have her spirit on call as a clergyperson.

Photo credit: First Unitarian Church

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.

    Portland, OR 97214 map
• Catholic / Lutheran
  • Mission Of The Atonement, Beaverton ⇒
    7400 SW Scholls Ferry Road

    Beaverton, OR 97008 map
• Christian
  • Abiding Grace Fellowship, Vancouver ⇒
    10637 NE Coxley Drive, Ste. 108

    Vancouver, OR 98685 map
  • Divina Communis Projects, Portland ⇒
    8233 North Syracuse Street, Suite A

    Portland, OR 97203 map
• Church Of The Brethren
  • Peace Church Of The Brethren, Portland ⇒
    12727 SE Market St

    Portland, OR 97233 map
• Disciples Of Christ
  • The View Christian Church, Portland ⇒
    c/o Lynchwood Christian Church
    3815 SE 174th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97236 map
• Episcopal
  • St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Eugene ⇒
    166 East 13th Ave.

    Eugene, OR 97405-0980 map
  • St. Stephen's Episcopal Parish, Portland ⇒
    1432 SW 13th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97201 map
  • Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland ⇒
    ATTN: Open & Welcoming Committee
    147 NW 19th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97209 map
• Jewish
  • Keshet Jewish Group, Portland ⇒
    Call David 503-226-7079 x14
    If no answer, call 503-684-1900 leave message

    Portland, OR  map
• Jewish (conservative)
  • Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland ⇒
    2900 SW Peaceful Ln.

    Portland, OR 97201 map
• Jewish (liberal)
  • Congregation Shir Tikvah, Portland ⇒
    Bridgeport Community Church
    621 NE 76th

    Portland, OR  map
• Jewish (reconstructionist)
  • Havurah Shalom, Portland ⇒
    825 NW 18th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97209-2333 map
  • Temple Beth Israel, Eugene ⇒
    42 W 25th Ave.

    Eugene, OR 97405 map
• Jewish (reform)
  • Congregation Beth Israel, Portland ⇒
    1972 NW Flanders

    Portland, OR 97209 map
• Jewish (renewal)
  • P'nai Or, Portland ⇒
    9750 SW Terwilliger Blvd

    Portland, OR 97219 map
• Lutheran ( E L C A )
  • Augustana Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    2710 NE 14th Ave.

    Portland, OR 97212 map
  • Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Portland
    1244 NE 39th Ave

    Portland, OR 97232 map
  • Central Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    1820 NE 21st Ave.

    Portland, OR 97212 map
  • Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    515 SW Maplecrest Dr.

    Portland, OR 97219 map
  • St. James Lutheran Church, Portland ⇒
    1315 SW Park

    Portland, OR 97219 map
• M C C
  • Metropolitan Community Church Of Portland, Portland ⇒
    2400 NE Broadway

    Portland, OR 97232 map
• Mormon
  • Affirmation ( Queer Mormons ), Portland ⇒
    Call for meeting times and locations.
    (971) 409-3463

    Portland, OR  map
• New Thought
  • New Thought Ministries Of Oregon, Beaverton ⇒
    Kingstad Conference Center
    15450 SW Millikan Way

    Beaverton, OR 97006 map
  • Portland Center For Spiritual Growth, Portland ⇒
    11307 NE Fremont Ct

    Portland, OR 97220 map
• Pagan
  • Sister Spirit, Portland ⇒
    Portland, OR 
• Presbyterian Church ( U S A )
  • Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, Portland ⇒
    1907 NE 45th Ave.