Church News News of St. Michael'sMen’s BreakfastOctober 1, 2018Parish LifeThe men of the parish will gather on Saturday, October 6, as they do on the first Saturday of every month, for breakfast from 8:00 to 10:00 am at the Village Inn near Lloyd Center. This is a great opportunity to gather for food and camaraderie. New participants are always welcome!... Read more...Highlighted Ministry: HCAOOctober 1, 2018Outreach & JusticeWhat are the health care ministries at St. Michael’s?The first is a vibrant group of folks from the Misa who are involved with the Promotores de Salud de la Iglesia (Parish Health Promoter Program) that in Portland is a component of Providence Health & Services’ outreach and education program. The volunteers in our church are working to build a healthier community through health promotion and leadership training. They are sponsoring events here on September 23 and October 13, so stay tuned for more information. The second is a health-care reform effort. In 2015, St. Michael’s became a member of Health Care for All Oregon (HCAO), a coalition of over 120 churches, non-profits, unions, political parties and other organizations working to establish an equitable, affordable, comprehensive, high-quality, publicly funded universal health care system serving everyone in Oregon and the United States. Why did St. Michael’s become a member of HCAO?From a practical standpoint, because the United States is the only major industrialized country in the world that does not provide health care to all of its citizens, and because the experience of these countries and multiple U.S. studies on the subject have shown that such a system can provide better care for more people at less cost. And from a faith perspective, because the Episcopal Church nationally resolved in Resolution 2009 D048 at the 76th Convention as follows: “Resolved, That the 76th Convention of The Episcopal Church urge passage of federal legislation establishing a “single payer” universal health care program which would provide health care coverage for all of the people of the United States; and be it further…Resolved, That The Episcopal Church shall work with other people of good will to finally and concretely realize the goal of universal health care coverage… “;We joined because Jesus was a healer and sent out his disciples to heal. He taught that we, his followers, have a moral responsibility to care for all our human brothers and sisters, and especially the poor and others who don’t have the resources or ability to fully care for themselves; and we joined because, through our baptismal covenants, we are solemnly bound to seek and serve Christ in all people, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being (BCP pp. 305). What has St. Michael’s done to advance the goal of universal healthcare?Beginning in 2014, we offered Forums, films and other information to our and other congregations and to several Convocations and sponsored Sunday Brunches. Last year, the St. Michael’s HCAO leadership team drafted a Resolution that was co-sponsored by the Diocesan Commission on Poverty and Homelessness; Metro East, Southern, Central and Columbia Convocations; and Good Samaritan Episcopal and our own parish. The resolution passed nearly unanimously at the 2017 Oregon Diocesan Convention. Briefly, the resolution urged passage of a state law to establish a universal health care system that would provide health care coverage for all people working or residing in Oregon (“Universal Health Care”), and provided that the Diocese become an organizational member of HCAO. It called for the creation of a Health Care Task Force to educate, study, provide review and gather input from the people and congregations of the Diocese; to become parish members of HCAO; and to advocate for the passage of legislative and initiative proposals to create Universal Health Care in Oregon.This year, we again urged Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) to become a member of HCAO, and they did so. What are the tasks before us?We will be supporting the task force by making educational presentations to churches in the Diocese. If a law is put before the citizens of Oregon in 2020, it will be critical for voters to be well-informed about the issues. Many of us are alarmed by the efforts being made by the federal government to slash funding for health care programs and Social Security. Approximately 20 states are promoting state plans such as ours to provide access to health care to all of their people. How can you get involved?EDUCATE YOURSELF on the issues by coming to health-care forums and other community events and by visiting hcao.org and peruse the many sources of information under the “LEARN” tab. The next Forum will be October 14 at 10:10 am. BECOME A MEMBER. An individual membership is $30 per year, but you can also become a sustaining member –even at $10 per month, that would be a huge help. When a measure is on the ballot, we will need funds to counter the millions of dollars that insurance and pharmaceutical companies will spend in Oregon to defeat it. SIGN a Faith Statement of Support if you haven’t already. You can do that on the HCAO website under the “ACT” tab, in the list under Print Resources, or at the Forum on October 14. VOLUNTEER by signing up on the HCAO website or by joining the St. Michael’s HCAO Leadership Team. We meet during the day one Monday a month. Contact Jana Gregory at oregon333@yahoo.com if you are interested in either joining the team or by helping with its work but are unable to attend a monthly meeting.... Read more...Palestinian Film FestivalOctober 1, 2018Outreach & JusticeAll are invited to Human Rights in the Holy Land – The Rest of the Story: A Palestinian Film Festival on October 5-7, 2018, at Fifth Avenue Cinema, 510 SW Hall in Portland. Sponsored and supported by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) among many others, the festival is an opportunity to gain insight into the Palestinian struggle in the Holy Land. Each afternoon and evening, a short film, a feature film and a Q&A discussion are offered. More information about all the films may be found at EMO’s website under “Coming Events” in October. The cost is a $5 – $10 donation, and students are free, though the films are recommended for mature teens and adults. Seating is limited. If you are interested in the human rights crisis in the Holy Land, please contact Christine Lentz at 503/708-8165.... Read more...Bible Lab with James JoinerOctober 1, 2018Christian FormationBuilding on the success and interest in this year’s adult formation series Bible 101 and Reclaiming Jesus, this fall, we will be offering a follow-up called Bible Lab on Monday nights from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, beginning October 1. During our last session of Bible 101, we distilled our learning into a set of seven essential questions which we can ask ourselves any time we find ourselves faced with a particularly perplexing piece of scripture. During our Bible Lab sessions, we’ll work in small groups to apply these questions to the texts for the coming Sunday. Participants will be provided with resources (including James as the instructor) to decide which questions matter most to a particular passage and how to find answers for themselves. Each session will end by sharing what we’ve learned with the whole group and by choosing a verse from what we’ve studied to carry into the week in prayer. Arrive early at 5:00 for Evening Prayer, or stay late on the second Monday of the month for Taizé Prayers, or the first and/or third Mondays for Centering Prayer.... Read more...St. Francis/Team L.I.F.E. EventOctober 1, 2018Parish LifeAll are invited to bring their pet/s (real, virtual or even a stuffed animal) to St. Michael’s courtyard on Saturday, October 6, to be part of a brief liturgy and celebration of the Feast of St. Francis. You’ll have the opportunity to take a photo with your pet (and St. Francis, too!) and show off your pet’s special skills in a pet talent show. The fun begins at 4:00 pm – don’t miss it!... Read more...Advocacy Action UpdateSeptember 24, 2018Outreach & JusticeThe Advocacy Action team has been busy! Each month, we have brought to our Second Sunday Tables items of concern. We have asked for your signatures on letters and petitions, and you have come through, expressing resounding support on our actions. We’ve been active in supporting—or opposing—local ballot measures. Thanks to your signatures, voters will now have a chance to support the Portland Clean Energy Fund in November. This month, we spoke out against Statewide Measure 105 which would rescind Oregon’s decision to remain a sanctuary state, and we collected your signatures on a petition in support of EMO’s ballot argument against Measure 105, which will appear in the Voter Information Booklet. Members of the congregation signed a letter to the Portland Business Alliance asking them to reconsider their support of the Jordan Cove Energy Project in Coos Bay, Oregon. We also petitioned City Hall to institute a ban on plastic straws, an action the City Council is currently considering (see below). Other actions have included the recent letter to the Secretary of the Interior objecting to the weakening of the Endangered Species Act; a letter to the Secretary of Commerce urging him not to require citizenship status to participate in the 2020 Census; and several letters of appreciation to our senators and representatives for their continued support of the Dream Act. Additionally, we’ve taken several other actions continuing to fight Jordan Cove, and we collected signatures on a letter to the Federal Communications Commission protesting the merger of media giants Sinclair and Tribune. Your signatures truly make a difference, and we encourage you to continue to stop by our Second Sunday Tables to make your voice heard. Here are three current and upcoming actions which you may already have heard about from the pulpit, the General Convention, or in news about November’s ballot: From the pulpit: Rev. Mark Allen spoke about it on Earth Day, and there’s an action you can take to help the City institute a ban on plastic straws. Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is developing a strategy to reduce the use of plastic straws and other single-use plastic service items, such as cups, utensils and take-out containers. Learn ways to cut your own plastic consumption or give your feedback by going to www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/reduceplastics through September 15. On the ballot: Your signatures helped put the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) on the November Ballot. The measure will create local funding for renewable energy projects while creating living-wage jobs for people who often face challenges gaining employment, including minorities and people with disabilities. Funding would come from a 1% surcharge on large retailers in the Portland area (those with gross revenues exceeding $1 billion nationally and $500,000 in Portland). Watch your bulletin for an October Forum featuring a speaker on this ballot measure. From the General Convention: Millions of people living in the West Bank and Gaza rely on U.S. and U.N. assistance and now face a humanitarian crisis. The Trump Administration is withholding two years’ worth of funding for aid to Palestinians that has already been approved by Congress. Without this financial assistance, USAID and the non-governmental organizations it supports will be unable to provide the economic and humanitarian aid which is helping to keep people alive. On October 14, the Advocacy Action Team will have a letter to Congressman Earl Blumenauer for parishioners to sign asking Congress to release these funds. The Advocacy Action team is growing, but we welcome fresh voices! To join our lively discussions, contact co-chairs Cheryl Braginsky or Marili Reilly (cascademarili@gmail.com). We meet at St. Michael’s at 7:00 pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month.... Read more...Family Worship on October 20March 8, 2018Worship & MusicAll families with young children are invited to Music Makers & Family Worship on Saturday, October 20, at 4:30 pm to sing, dance, pray, give thanks and eat together! Join the circle of friends and families as we gather to make music, listen to stories, share Holy Eucharist and enjoy a delicious potluck dinner together. Music-Makers class at 4:30 pm is a fun-filled half hour of music and movement that helps children and parents experience the joy of making music together. The Family Worship service is designed especially for families and young children using Godly Play stories and other age-appropriate readings for this lively 45-minute liturgy. Holy Eucharist is shared using grape juice and gluten-free bread or crackers. A potluck dinner follows the service, giving children and their families the chance to connect and enjoy each other’s company.... Read more...Women’s Breakfast GatheringJanuary 30, 2018Parish & Community LifeA women’s breakfast group has begun and continues on the second Saturday of each month at 8:30 am happening at Sam’s, at NE Hancock and NE 41st in the Hollywood area. This is a wonderful opportunity for women to get together for friendship-building and socializing. As the group continues to meet, it can evolve into whatever the attendees would like to see it be. No RSVP is necessary, but contact Paula for more information.... Read more...Solar UpdateNovember 7, 2017Outreach & JusticeA lot happened in late July and early August as your Green Team worked to supply written information and request letters of support, and to compile this information and give it to our solar contractor for its completion and final submission of the grant application to Pacific Power. This was all accomplished in a timely manner, and the application was submitted prior to the deadline of August 17th. We received many thoughtful letters of support from some of our building users, including TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), Al-Anon, Women’s NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and Dances of Universal Peace. Now we have a rather lengthy waiting period before we learn whether or not we have been approved. The time is somewhere between four and six months, so we may not get an answer until February of next year. But we feel confident, as does our contractor, that we will get good news. This is an exciting time for St. Michael’s as we continue to move toward more sustainable ways of living and conserving our natural resources. We thank everyone at St. Michael’s who continues to support the efforts to raise the awareness of a greener world. We look forward to a positive response from Pacific Power; if so, expect to see the south-facing roof of the Nave filled with solar panels by late spring!... Read more...Godly Play for ChildrenSeptember 10, 2017Christian FormationReligious-education classes for children in pre-K through the fifth grade resumes on October 7 and will continue on most Sundays throughout the school year during the 10 o’clock hour, between the 9:00 and 11:00 am services. Classrooms are located on the lower level around the corner from the Childcare and mural room. Godly Play is a religious-education program designed for children to hear and explore stories from sacred scripture in a classroom specifically fashioned for hands on learning. Godly Play also incorporates stories that help children better understand Episcopal liturgical practices and the seasons of the church year. Central to the Godly Play experience is the telling of a sacred story, followed by an opportunity for the children to ponder “wondering questions” that lead them deeper into the meaning of the story, their relationship with God and with one another. Open ended art response material and the opportunity to work with the story material give children the opportunity to process and reflect on the sacred stories and liturgical practices that are presented. The Godly Play program mirrors the structure of the Episcopal liturgy and the classroom is cared for as sacred space.... Read more...
