The Rev. Chuck Currie

UCC minister offers to die for Troy Davis, death row inmate

United Church News has this remarkable story:

The peaceful tone of the Rev. Marvin Morgan's voice belies the passion of his message: It's time to get "personal" in eliminating the death penalty. Morgan's willingness to take the place of Troy Davis on death row in Georgia appears to be the ultimate gesture.

"If each of us were to be placed in shackles and led to the execution chambers, knowing we are innocent...try to imagine what that must be like," says Morgan, minister of pastoral care and counseling at First Congregational UCC in Atlanta.

On Sept. 22, Morgan and Davis' friend, Steve Woodall, hand-delivered to the office of Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue a letter requesting that Davis' execution be prevented. "If you are not willing to do so," Morgan wrote, "I, Marvin L. Morgan, do hereby request that you (the State of Georgia) take my life instead of that of Troy Davis, and allow Troy to be set free. I am available immediately to be taken into custody so that this request may be carried forward."

The case has drawn world-wide attention - with voices such as Archbishop Tutu and others calling for Mr. Davis to be removed from Death Row. 

Amnesty International reported in 2007:

Troy Anthony Davis has been on death row in Georgia for more than 15 years for the murder of a police officer he maintains he did not commit. Given that all but three of the witnesses who testified against Troy Davis at his trial have since recanted or contradicted their testimony amidst allegations that some of it had been made under police duress, there are serious and as yet unanswered questions surrounding the reliability of his conviction and the state’s conduct in obtaining it. As the case currently stands, the government’s pursuit of the death penalty contravenes international safeguards which prohibit the execution of anyone whose guilt is not based on “clear and convincing evidence leaving no room for an alternative explanation of the facts”.

Amnesty International does not know if Troy Davis is guilty or innocent of the crime for which he is facing execution. As an abolitionist organization, it opposes his death sentence either way. It nevertheless believes that this is one in a long line of cases in the USA that should give even ardent supporters of the death penalty pause for thought. For it provides further evidence of the danger, inherent in the death penalty, of irrevocable error. As the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court wrote in 1993, “It is an unalterable fact that our judicial system, like the human beings who administer it, is fallible. Or as a US federal judge said in 2006, “The assessment of the death penalty, however well designed the system for doing so, remains a human endeavour with a consequent risk of error that may not be remediable.”

A new hearing has been set for November 9.

Please keep all those involved in your prayers.

Weekly Podcast From Parkrose Community United Church of Christ

Use the below link to download the podcast of this message from Rev. Chuck Currie your iPod or personal computer.

Download WEDNOV262008.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 Rev. Currie's podcasts on ITunes. 

A Podcast Sermon On Matthew 25:14-30: Thanksgiving and Stewardship In The Midst Of An Economic Crisis

This morning at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ our Scripture readings included Psalm 123 and Matthew 25:14-30. My sermon dealt with Thanksgiving, America’s deepening economic crisis and stewardship. As many are aware, the economic crisis has been felt in churches across the United State. Donations and investments are down.

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

Download WS310008.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.

South Carolina Minister Responds To Priest Who Denies Communion To Obama Voters

Statement from The Rev. Susie B. Smith On The Controversy Surrounding St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville

Related Post:  South Carolina Roman Catholic Priest Says No Communion For Obama Voters

A Podcast Sermon: Who Is A Christian?

This Sunday at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ our Scripture readings included Micah 3:5-12, Psalms 43 and Matthew 23:1-12.  My sermon dealt with the topic:  Who Is A Christian? 

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

Download WhoIsAChristian?.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.

"All The People" - The United Church of Christ Hits The Airwaves

Now airing on CNN, Bravo, BET and TV One. 

Check out this Sunday what it means to be a church were all the people are welcome.

In Portland, please visit Parkrose Community United Church of Chist or any of our other congregations.

We're An Open and Affirming Congregation

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.

Catch Me Tonight On KOIN-TV 6

KOIN TV 6 was at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ this morning and spoke to me after my sermon about America's economic crisis.  You should be able to catch the story at 6 pm on television or their website.

A Podcast Sermon: God's Economy

This morning at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ my sermon focused on America’s economic crisis. We heard readings from Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 and Matthew 21:23-32 but during my sermon I focused on two different pieces of Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7 and Isaiah 3:13-15.

The subtext for my message this morning was the experience of the Exodus and the period of fleeing in the wilderness that followed. This period of national uncertainty and chaos is a “wilderness experience” for the American people – a time when we are being tested and being measured against our own failures and successes.

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

Download God'sEconomy.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.

New Christian Education Classes

There are two new upcoming Christian education opportunities for adults at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ: 

"Love"

This Fall join the people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ as we study the Biblical concept of “Love” during a five week course that begins Sunday, Sept. 28th and ends Sunday, Oct. 26th. All sessions start at 9 am in the Garden Room.

Click here for more information 

“Eclipsing Empire: Paul, Rome and the Kingdom of God”

Zion United Church of Christ and Parkrose Community United Church of Christ invite you to join us for a new and exciting Christian education opportunity from the producers of “Living the Questions.”

“Eclipsing Empire: Paul, Rome and the Kingdom of God” is a 12-week course that invites participants to journey back to the earliest days of the church.

Click here for class dates and more information.

People from outside the church are welcome to RSVP and attend but keep in mind this disclaimer from the creators of Living the Questions, the folks who also created the “Eclipsing Empire: Paul, Rome and the Kingdom of God” curriculum:

“Living the Questions” is a study for the countless people of faith who have suffered in silence as the voices of fear and false certitude claim to profess the unchanging truth of Christianity. It’s purpose is to provide a resource for the discussion of what is already believed and practiced by many faithful people still holding on within institutional religion while harboring a conviction that what most churches teach isn’t the whole story. It may even be helpful for those who Jack Spong calls “believers in exile” – those who have left the church because of its refusal to take their questions or life’s situation seriously. It is not intended to spell out new doctrine or create new dogma but to serve as a catalyst to perhaps crack open the door to the future.

To make the implicit explicit, this study is not for:

• those whose personal faith requires them to believe that the Bible is the inerrant and inspired word of God.
• those who believe that the doctrines set forth by the early church are sacrosanct and not to be questioned.
• those whose eternal salvation depends on their unswerving commitment to the above.
• those who believe the reason the mainline churches in Europe, North America, and Australia/ New Zealand have been losing members and influence for generations is because they haven’t been teaching “orthodox” Christianity or preaching the true Gospel.

Please be aware that the issues and concepts discussed in the DVDs and written material will challenge many people’s worldview and understanding of the divine. For some it will be radically new information. For others, it will be an affirmation of what they’ve known deep down for a long time. Both facilitators and participants will want to be prepared for anxiety, conflict, and the need to be patient with those who are struggling.

It Was Two Years Ago Today

If it hadn't been for a nice e-card from the 20/30 Clergy Network of the UCC, I would have forgotten that today is the second anniversary of my ordination.  Take a look back at some of the photos.

A Podcast Sermon On Romans 13:8-14: Pray, Fast For The Dalit People

This morning at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ our Scripture readings included Ps 149, Rom 13:8-14, and Matt 18:15-20.  My sermon focused on the text from Romans in which we are told to "dress ourselves in Christ and be up and about (The Message)" with a sense of urgency.

We need to be urgent in our work this week as Dalit Christian in India flee from violence.  These are our brothers and sisters in Christ and we are called to come to their aid.

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

Download Pray, Fast For The Dalit People.

(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.

Peace Bubble Visits Portland

The Peace Bubble Cafe came to Portland, Oregon recently for an event sponsored by Zion United Church of Christ in Gresham, Oregon and Portland's Parkrose Community United Church of Christ. What is the Peace Bubble?

The Peace Bubble Café, featuring singer, songwriter and modern storyteller Jerry Leggett, will be coming to towns across America with a mobile, multimedia peace exhibit and live entertainment.

The Peace Bubble Café is a mobile, multimedia art and entertainment exhibit, featuring live music and a public kiosk for innovative resources that promote peace and nonviolence. The Café is designed to create a spontaneous space for the audiences to listen to peace tales, hear songs that inspire, and participate in a national video compilation of thoughts on peace.

As Leggett asks the question, “What does peace look like for you?”, audiences contemplate a more peaceful world and define themselves and their environments as spaces for peace. The Peace Bubble Café website at MyPeaceSpace.org will follow the 2008 tour and provide Internet audiences a way to follow the tour and define their own peace spaces.

Jerry Leggett is a UCC minister. In Portland, the Peace Bubble was part of an all-day Peace Fair and Rev. Leggest preached the following morning at a joint Zion-Parkrose worship service held at a local park. Check out some of the photos:

Get "All The People" On The Air

We've only got 12 days left to raise the money needed by the United Church of Christ to air our new commercial this fall.  Can you make a donation and get this progressive message of faith and hope on the air?  Click here.

Peace Bubble Café Coming to Portland Area

Portland's Parkrose Community United Church of Christ and Gresham's Zion United Church of Christ will sponsor a day-long event in east-county to promote peace.

JERRY LEGGETT'S PEACE BUBBLE CAFÉ (www.peacebubblecafe.org) will be held Saturday, August 16th at the Parkrose Community Peace Labyrinth at Parkrose High School on the corner of NE Shaver and NE 115th Portland, OR. Singer, songwriter, and story-teller Rev. Leggett is a United Church of Christ minister traveling the country to promote peace through art and entertainment. This event is open to all people of all faiths and beliefs.

The Peace Bubble Café is a mobile, multimedia art and entertainment exhibit, featuring live music and a public kiosk for innovative resources that promote peace and nonviolence. The Café is designed to create a spontaneous space for the audiences to listen to peace tales, hear songs that inspire, and participate in a national video compilation of thoughts on peace."

The PEACE FAIR runs from 2:00 – 6:00 pm and admission is FREE. Come learn how local folks are striving for peace in our community and in our world by wandering through the booths sponsored by peace-loving organizations. Fun crafts and activities for the kids will be provided in most of these booths, while youth, young adults and older adults can take time to learn about the organization – and yes, it's okay for you to have fun too! Come have some family fun, meet your neighbors and other peace loving folk in your community.

The INTERACTIVE CONCERT with Jerry Leggett begins at 6:00 pm. The admission is $10.00 for adults and children of families attending get in free. Bring your blanket and picnic basket for a family picnic and concert! The concert on the lawn will be comprised of upbeat music performed by Jerry Leggett. He will do interviews with folks in the audience that will then be posted to youtube.com and viewed by thousands. He will ask the questions: "What does peace look like for you?" and "What peace message do you wish to offer to the next President of the United States?" Mixed in with the music we will enjoy some play time by way of cooperative games led by Patsy, the Peace Bubbles' Facilitator of Fun!

100% of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to help establish the Peace Bubble as a permanent traveling exhibit for the Dayton International Peace Museum (the only Peace Museum in the United States.) Go to www.daytonpeacemuseum.org for their amazing and hope-filled story.

For concert tickets, general information, or vendor applications for the Peace Fair, or to volunteer, please contact Camie Pugsley at peacebubblecafe.pdx@gmail.com or call 503-253-5457. You can learn about Zion UCC at www.uccwebsites.net/zionuccgreshamor.html and more about Parkrose Community United Church of Christ at www.parkroseucc.org.

A Podcast Sermon On Matt 13:24-30, 36-43: Dealing With Weeds And Wheat In The Church

This morning at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ our Scripture readings included Wisd of Sol 12:13, 16-19 and Matt 13:24-30, 36-43.  A podcast version of my sermon is available.

Download AUD000020.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.

JPANet Action Alert: Oppose Warrentless Wiretapping

FISA (The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) is scheduled for a Senate reauthorization vote this week. Before voting on the bill to reauthorize FISA, the Senate will consider three amendments. Even if amended, this bill weakens constitutional protections against unlawful government action and threatens the fundamental understanding of the separation of powers mandated in the constitution.

On June 20, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a compromise FISA bill that would allow the government to monitor e-mail messages and phone calls without a warrant, and would provide telecommunications companies immunity for providing the government with personal information for the purpose of wiretapping. The Senate is scheduled to vote on the FISA reauthorization proposal this week.

FISA was passed in 1978 in response to surveillance abuses in the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon Administrations. It affirms that the fourth Amendment safeguarding citizens' freedom from surveillance extends to "electronic surveillance" and prohibits wiretapping without a warrant. The current Administration has challenged this position, conducting warrantless wiretaps on citizens, and offering immunity from prosecution for collaborating telecommunications companies in the process. Legislation passed by the House and currently before the Senate would legalize much of the wiretapping activity of the past seven years.

Please take action today by urging your Senator and Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, to oppose warrantless wiretapping and telecom immunity.

A Podcast Sermon On Faith And Patriotism

Today at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ we marked the 4th of July holiday with special music and prayers. Use the below link to download the podcast of my sermon this morning reflecting on what it means to be a Christian on the 4th of July in America today.   

Download ParkroseJuly42008.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).

It was a great surprise to have Dr. Damayanthi Niles, Associate Professor of Constructive Theology at UCC-related Eden Theological Seminary, worship with us this morning.

Related Link:  The Fourth of July: How Does a Christian Celebrate?

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. 

The Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross

The Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross retired this week as the senior minister of Portland’s First Congregational United Church of Christ. She helped the congregation grow in many ways over the twenty years she served (10 as the associate and ten as the senior minister). It was under her watch that the church opened their doors to a local agency that needed space to operate a homeless shelter for youth. Building project after building project was undertaken during her leadership to preserve the church’s historic downtown facilities. She was a courageous religious leader known in Portland for frequently lending her voice to women’s issues, peace efforts, and on behalf of those experiencing homelessness. Dr. Ross chaired the late 1980s UCC committee that chose Paul Sherry to be president and general minister of the United Church of Christ. A dinner and reception were held in her honor this past Sunday. Presenters included The Rev. Dr. Arvin Luchs, senior minister at Portland’s First United Methodist Church, and David Leslie, executive director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Jon Ross, Pat’s son, gave a moving tribute that brought just about everyone there to tears. The Rev. Gene Ross, Pat’s husband and former conference minister (now retired) of the Central Pacific Conference of the UCC, also made a presentation. Dr. Ross has been a mentor, friend and colleague of mine for many years. Her leadership at First Congregational United Church of Christ will be missed but her legacy in Portland won’t soon be forgotten. And I suspect “retirement” will simply be a venue for Dr. Ross to take on new and different types of leadership roles that further build up the Kingdom.

UCC Congregations Celebrate California Decision On Marraige

A ruling by the California Supreme Court providing full marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples takes affect today.

This important civil rights victory was met with strong words of praise from the Northern California - Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ.

FULL STORY

Reflecting On Becoming Open And Affirming

It has been over a year since Parkrose Community United Church of Christ voted to become Open and Affirming.  Yesterday I used my time in the pulpit to reflect back on that decision.  After my remarks the congregation held a discussion - reflecting on the Scripture reading for the morning - about how we can better live out our shared goal of truly becoming a church open to all. 

The reading this morning from Matthew brings us back to the heart of Jesus’ inclusive ministry: it didn’t matter who you were or where you were on life’s journey, as we’d say today in the United Church of Christ, Jesus welcomed you to the table. This was enough to drive legalistic religious types crazy. He eats with tax collectors? Women? The unclean? How dare he!

Jesus responded in that way of his that confounded many then and today: we’re all sinners, he would say, so sit down and enjoy the meal. We’re all broken, let God heal you.

It has been over a year since Parkrose Community United Church of Christ made what I believe to be our second most controversial decision – to become Open and Affirming. (The most controversial decision, of course, was to change the direction of the pews…)

When we adopted our Open and Affirming statement it was a faithful attempt to take the teachings of Jesus seriously. The statement was not a declaration that we had done everything needed to be the kind of open community that Jesus hoped for but rather a declaration of our intent to try better to become that community.

Let me read you the statement:

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 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.

When the statement was voted on – with a affirmative vote of the congregation that nearly reached 90% - there was joy among many. Some wondered why a vote was necessary, however. Weren’t we just saying what we already were, some asked? Others, of course, were angry. A few even left the church.

Paul and the early church faced the same kind of questions and had the same kind of problems. Who should be accepted into church membership? For Paul and his contemporaries the questions were just as hard and the discussions just as heated. Should Gentiles be welcomed or was the church just for Jews? What about the uncircumcised? Women?

Jesus himself was so clear about these issues that you would have thought the debate would be unnecessary but here we are two thousand years later still basically debating the same questions (or at least variations of the questions).

Some have asked since we voted to become Open and Affirming why our membership has not grown. Wasn’t that the issue? Weren’t people walking away from our church because we hadn’t voted to become Open and Affirming? The answer to that question is yes. But we spent nearly 25 years intentionally not voting to become an Open and Affirming church and that history and that reputation wasn’t erased in a single vote. And like I said, we did not and we cannot simply declare ourselves to be Open and Affirming and then assume that we really are. It takes time. Like any faith decision, we have to be willing to let the Spirit move us in new ways. Instead we took a vote. End of story. That wasn’t enough. And the truth of the matter is that I was so taken aback by some of the reaction to that vote that in over a year I’ve not done more than offering a passing mention of the issue. Some of you might be happy about that but the truth is as a pastor I’ve let you down. If we are really going to be Open and Affirming we need to keep the issues in front of the congregation. How do we live out our deepest hopes? How do we – a church that has long been a strong support system for people who look and act like us – start to accept people who will change us? We have a lot to offer but we have room to grow as a community of faith. Will we sit down with the tax collectors? The unclean?

It will take us time to truly become the people we hope to be.  But to get there we need to keep reflecting on where God is calling us and thinking each and every day about how we build up the community around us.  We're all on a journey.   

Senator Obama's Decision To Leave Trinity United Church of Christ

A statement concerning Senator Obama's decision to leave Trinity United Church of Christ from The Rev. John Thomas, president and general minister of the United Church of Christ, is now available online.

Senator Obama's decision does not reflect a change in his policy views and that is rightfully the most important criteria people should consider when voting for a president.  I support Senator Obama because of his views on ending the Iraq War, his policies to fight poverty, and his willingness to expand health care opportunities.

This, however, is not easy news.  My prayers are with the people of Trinity UCC, Senator Obama and his family.  It would be a mistake to see this decision in a political light.   

 

Facebook Photos

Over the last few months I've become familiar with Facebook, the social networking site (here's my page).  The site has allowed me to become better connected with seminary friends from Eden and I've enjoyed getting to know some of the nearly 2,000 people who have joined the United Church of Christ group.  One of the best features of this group are the photos people have been posting of their congregations - like this one from Circular Congregational Church - UCC in Charleston.  Circular has long been one of my favorites.  Since about the beginning of time they've been articulating a progressive theological vision for the people of South Carolina and beyond.  You can check out all the great photos by joining this free group.  Note to Facebook:  feel fee to send the promotional check directly to our HQ in Cleveland.   

Memorial Day Prayer

Gracious God, on this Memorial Day weekend, we remember and give thanks for those who have given their lives in the service of our country. When the need was greatest, they stepped forward and did their duty to defend the freedoms that we enjoy, and to win the same for others. O God, you yourself have taught us that no love is greater than that which gives itself for another. These honored dead gave the most precious gift they had, life itself, for loved ones and neighbors, for comrades and country – and for us. Help us to honor their memory by caring for the family members they have left behind, by ensuring that their wounded comrades are properly cared for, by being watchful caretakers of the freedoms for which they gave their lives, and by demanding that no other young men and women follow them to a soldier’s grave unless the reason is worthy and the cause is just. Holy One, help us to remember that freedom is not free. There are times when its cost is, indeed, dear. Never let us forget those who paid so terrible a price to ensure that freedom would be our legacy. Though their names may fade with the passing of generations, may we never forget what they have done. Help us to be worthy of their sacrifice, O God, help us to be worthy. Amen.

Reprinted from UCC Worship Ways

Breaking News: IRS Determines UCC Followed All Rules

IRS finds that the United Church of Christ did not promote Senator Obama's campaign.

Full story.

Let's Talk About Race: A Podcast Sermon On Liberation And Hope

This morning at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ - as part of a national "sacred" conversation on race called for by the United Church of Christ and the National Council of Churches - our worship service focued on racial issues.  For the children's story the book Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom was shared.  Our Scripture readings included Genesis 1:1-2a, Isaiah 58:1-14, Song of Solomon 1:5 and Matthew 22:34-39.

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

Download ParkroseRace.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.

Oregon Churches To Sizemore: We'll Oppose Your Anti-Immigrant Agenda

This weekend the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ took action by putting our conference on record opposing to two anti-immigrant ballots measures Oregon voters will consider this fall.  Any sacred conversation on race needs to include our national response to the struggles of Hispanic people.

RESOLUTION for Central Pacific  Conference Annual Assembly

—Spring 2008

OPPOSE OREGON ANTI-IMMIGRANT BALLOT  INITIATIVES.

Signed by: Catherine Rolling, Ainsworth; Rev. Susan  Leo, Bridgeport; Rev. Chuck Currie, Parkrose

Our immigration system is broken and needs  comprehensive reform.  We, as people of faith, want an opportunity to support  proposals that include legalization with a path to citizenship and family  unification.  However, legislative proposals making their way to the November  2008 ballot in Oregon will further divide our communities and increase hate,  fear, and racism, thus contributing to anti-immigrant sentiment, by attacking an  already vulnerable people, known by people of faith as children of the  Creator.

Whereas:  Oregon ballot initiative petition (IP) #19  proposes to add a section to the Oregon Revised Statutes requiring English  immersion in public schools as proposed by Bill Sizemore and Alan Grosso and  filed in the Secretary of State’s office on April 18, 2006:

• prohibits teaching public school students in  languages other than English for more than two years. 
• would have a severe impact on immigrant children's  opportunities for quality education. 
• would take away local control and classroom  decisions about individual learning levels and special needs of students,  thereby punishing immigrant and refugee children, regardless of their legal  status, and

Whereas:  Oregon ballot initiative petition (IP)  #112 named “Respect for Law Act” proposed by Mehran Smith and Shahriyar Smith of  Oregonians for Immigration Reform and filed in the Secretary of State’s office  on July 10, 2007:

• effectively forces undocumented immigrants further  into the shadows. 
• diverts local government resources away from  community safety, health and education needs. 
• moves police, fire fighters, teachers, social  workers, and health care workers to act as immigration officers. 
• encourages racial profiling, unreported crime,  school dropouts, and public health and safety calamities. 
• imperils public safety by restricting driver’s  licenses forcing immigrants who must drive to maintain their employment and care  for their households to continue driving as unlicensed motorists. 
• offers new voter registration restrictions which  are unnecessary since there is no evidence that non-citizens are voting—and  discourages registration by other marginalized populations, such as low-income,  elderly and people of color, and

Whereas: These measures are an affront to the  dignity, safety, livelihoods, and opportunities of our immigrant neighbors,  and

 

Whereas: Jesus instructs us to welcome strangers -  not mistreat them, and

Whereas: As Christians, our actions should reflect  Jesus’ teachings, and

Whereas: As a nation of immigrants, our laws should  reflect compassionate action toward those who come into our country for safety  and opportunity;

Be it resolved: that the Central Pacific Conference  of the United Church of Christ declares its opposition to Oregon ballot  initiative petitions #19 and #112 and calls on local UCC affiliates and other  faith communities to do the same.

I was proud to be a co-sponsor of the resolution and look forward to working with churches all across Oregon in defeating these measures.

Portland Church Will Join National Conversation About Race, Reconciliation

Parkrose Community United Church of Christ (www.parkroseucc.org) will join other churches that are part of the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination in a “sacred conversation’ about race on Sunday, May 18th during the 10 am worship service.

Click here for the full story.

A Sermon on Isaiah 59:1-8 And John 6:1-14: We Need Bread For The World

This Sunday at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ our Scripture readings were Isaiah 59: 1-8 and John 6: 1-14.  There is no podcast of the sermon available this week but my sermon notes are below.

My brother and sisters, I come here this morning to ask for your help.

As Christians, we have been called to be stewards of the earth and to be concerned with the welfare of all of humanity. We offer our praises to God for providing us with a bountiful world that can provide for our every need.

But greed, corruption, inadequate planning and a host of other human sins and mistakes have created a world where many suffer.

Bread for the World, the Christian anti-poverty group, reports that:

More than 854 million people in the world go hungry.

 

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. 

Facts and figures like these are often so large that they become difficult to comprehend. But let me stress one of those facts: 16 million children die every year from preventable and treatable causes. Sixty percent of these deaths are from hunger and malnutrition.

These are children with as much potential as any in the United States. These are children as special and as beloved by God as Frances or Katherine or any other child in this church, in our families, or in our schools.

As Christians, we have a special responsibility to work towards the elimination of hunger and poverty. Read your Bible. Throughout you’ll hear God’s call for us to create a more just world where hunger and poverty are eliminate. Jesus calls this Kingdom-building.

Bread for the World has taken this passage we have read today from John and said:

John’s account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes is the only one that includes the little boy. The boy has been better prepared than the rest of the crowd and brought his meal with him. However, he gives it up, trusting Jesus to do what is best.

 

We must follow the boy’s example – not just in trusting God with our financial resources, but also offering our power as citizens in a democracy. When we use our voices to call for Congress to increase funding for effective programs that help developing countries in Africa and other poor parts of the world, we are trusting God to do miraculous things with this small action.   

To take up this challenge of trusting God and caring for the least of these across the globe our Missions and Outreach Team, with the support of the Church Council, has decided to ask the congregation to take part in an advocacy campaign designed to ask members of Oregon’s congressional delegation to support legislation that would help reduce hunger and poverty. Bread for the World, a non-partisan Christian advocacy group, is the organization overseeing this campaign.

Specifically, Bread for the World is asking Congress to increase funding for poverty fighting efforts by at least $5 billion a year, starting this coming year.

They are also requesting that the Congress pass the Global Poverty Act, now in Congress. This act would do two important things:

· Make the the first Millennium Development Goal (to cut in half the number of people who are hungry a