Parish Life Ministries

St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church is a place where people at all stages of life come to worship, to seek their way in the world, and to share God-given gifts in service to others.

At St. Michael’s, our mission is to foster a safe and hospitable environment where Christian community happens and relationships are nurtured.

The goals for our Parish Life ministries are:

  • Strengthen the work of connecting people into this community by
    • Promoting parish awareness and skills for intentional welcoming,
    • Encouraging the building of supportive relationships within the community,
    • Developing programs to support new members in their early years in our parish, and
    • Giving attention to the coming shifts in population and households;
  • Enhance the experience of fellowship at coffee hours, receptions and suppers; and
  • Develop teaching around the spirituality of Christian life in community.

Ongoing and Upcoming Events:

Summer Connections, July 14 – August 11
Join members of the St. Michael’s staff as they host outings in the greater Portland area.

Saturday, July 14, 7:00 pm   Join Assistant Rector Gabe Lamazares for an evening of roller-skating at Oaks Park in Sellwood. Bring your skates—or rent at the rink—and enjoy feeling like (or being) a kid as you skate to a live DJ. Meet just inside the front doors of the rink at 7:00.

Saturday, July 28, 10:00 am  Join Associate for Administration Gloria Orellana and her family for a bike ride on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. This is a moderate 10-mile bike ride on a section of the old highway that has been restored and closed to cars. Kids are welcome on their own bikes (best for about 5th grade and up) or on tag-alongs, trailers, or bike seats. You’ll be treated to a couple of tunnels and some spectacular views. We’ll meet at 10:00 at St. Michael’s, or you may meet us at the Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead West at about 11:00 am. We’ll plan to head into Hood River afterwards for ice cream. Click here for more information about this bike ride, or you may email Gloria. If you have extra room for people or bikes in/on your vehicle, please let her know.

Saturday, July 29, 7:00 pm
Nothing says summer in Portland like a good movie on a warm night in one of our beautiful parks! Join Rector Chris Craun to watch the classic Oregon movie Goonies in Lents Park. Pack up the kids, blankets, low chairs, and picnic dinner if you want, and look for some kind of St. Michael’s sign.

Saturday, August 11, 6:00 pm
Opera on the Green! A picnic dinner with friends on the lawn of Concordia University on a warm summer night, the air filled with the delightful music of Johann Strauss’ comic opera, Die Fledermaus presented free in concert version by world class opera singers— what could possibly be better? That’s the question Hannah Brewer and Leslie Sackett asked themselves as they planned to co-host their Summer Connection: Opera on the Green for St. Michael’s parishioners. Their answer? A pre-performance class to learn more about the opera, taught by distinguished actor, director and lecturer Michael Berkson, of course!

This year, we are thrilled to announce that as part of our Summer Connection, St. Michael’s parishioner Michael Berkson will offer a class about Die Fledermaus on Wednesday, August 8, in the Nativity Hall at 7:00 pm. If you are new to the world of opera, or if you just want to learn a little bit more about Die Fledermaus and what to listen for when you attend the performance, then Michael’s class is for you! Having taught similar classes in conjunction with the Portland Opera for well over fifteen years, we are extremely grateful that Michael is sharing his expertise with us this summer.

Die Fledermaus is being presented on Saturday, August 11, at 6:00 pm on the beautiful lawn of Concordia University in NE Portland. Hannah and Leslie invite you to join them for Michael Berkson’s class on Wednesday, August 8, at 7:00 pm and for the free, outdoor performance of Die Fledermaus on Saturday, August 11, at 6:00 pm. It’s best to arrive early at Concordia (2811 NE Holman St.) for easy parking and best seating. Sign-ups for this summer connection can be found in the Gallery outside the church office, or email Leslie Sackett, leslie.sackett@comcast.net or Hannah Brewer, hannahcbrewer@gmail.com. Please let us know you are coming so that we can be in contact with you before the event.

October 25-November 3, 2012,  and December 6-15, 2012
Guadalupe Pilgrimages   Two Guadalupe Pilgrimages in 2012 are being hosted by The Rev. John Scannell. Each guided visit to Mexico includes learning about life there, visiting people living on the edge of society, esperiencing communities of faith in ministry, exploring archeological sites, and being sustained by beautiful worship. Pilgrims who join us will gain an intimate experience of the realities of Mexico — the hope, the sorrow, the beauty, the tragedy. When you return home, you will see the people in our own communities with new eyes. These pilgrimages are sponsored by the monks of Weston Priory (Vermont) and are led by a community of Benedictine Sisters based in Mexico City and Cuernavaca. It is not necessary to be a Spanish-speaker to fully participate. The cost is $800 for ten days, which includes all meals, transportation in Mexico, and lodging at the retreat center. Airfare is additional. The October-December trip includes the observance of The Day of the Dead, and the December trip includes the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For full details, click here, or contact John Scannell at 503/284-2618 or jsscannell@gmail.com for more information and registration.

 

Specific parish ministries of hospitality are described below.

Coffee Hour Teams

These teams set up and clean up refreshments provided for this regular parish offering of hospitality every Sunday, between the 9:00 and 11:00 am services. Teams serve approximately once a month.

 

Special Receptions Teams

These teams decorate the space, serve the food, and clean up after receptions on Sundays and at other times when the community gathers for special liturgies and on other special occasions. For further information about coordinating a special reception click here. For further information about tasks involved in hosting special receptions click here. For punch recipes click here.

Special Annual Events:

For much more on our special events and opportunities for hospitality, please check the Hospitality page or click here.

 

New Member Ministry Team

This team contacts each newcomer or visitor to offer friendship, information and ways of connecting more fully with other people and programs in this community.

Sunday Lunch Teams

These teams host the parish lunch every Sunday from September to June after the 11:00 am service. They set up, serve, and clean up. (Other parishioners provide the food.) Hospitality Guidelines and Task Lists are posted here for your information.For further information about coordinating the Sunday Lunch Ministryclick here.

Wedding Reception Teams

These teams help decorate the space, serve the food, and clean up after wedding receptions.

Welcome Team

This team provides informal hospitality to visitors and newer members of the parish following worship and during social events. They introduce people to other parishioners, and assist them in obtaining information about the parish and the Episcopal Church.

Getting Involved:
To learn more about opportunities to get involved in any of these parish ministries of hospitality, please contact the Rector.