Church News

MOW/WOWs

St. Michael’s Choristers rehearsal

Evening Prayer

St. Michael’s Singers rehearsal

Canterbury Way

Forums: Doing & Undoing Theology

Promotores de Salud workshop

Messages, Blogs, and Sermons

Upcoming Events

Name: Canterbury Way
Start: 2019-11-21T12:00:00-08:00
End: 2019-11-21T14:00:00-08:00
Location: Raphael Room

News of St. Michael's

Matthew David Morris concertNovember 7, 2019To support our deacon in his final year of seminary, a Seminary Tuition Fundraiser Concert on Saturday, November 16, at 7:00 pm in the St. Michael’s Nave. Matthew David will share songs and experiences from his 25-year career as a professional songwriter for some of the world’s most renowned performers. He will be joined by the sensational artist Christine Joy, who will live-paint during the show. Donations only, with all monies going to Matthew David’s tuition. Make checks payable to St. Michael’s with “Matthew David Tuition” in the memo line....
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Forum: Quilts for EmpowermentNovember 6, 2019For the 10:15 am Forum on November 17, we welcome Dr. Mary Ann McCammon, president of Quilts for Empowerment. Seven panels created by women from Kenya who have built new lives after surviving fistulas, a women’s health condition common in developing countries, will be on display. At the Forum, Mary Ann will share stories about the quilters as well as the process they used to create the exhibit. Do you ever wonder if the donations you make to St. Michael’s make a difference in the lives of other people? Every year, the church sets aside a small percentage of pledged income to help meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals throughout the world. The Outreach & Justice Council selects nonprofits vetted by its members to receive small donations of usually $500. One small nonprofit that St. Michael’s has supported for four years is Quilts for Empowerment. This is an organization that works to empower women in Kenya who have suffered the consequences of living with a fistula through teaching them an income-producing art form—story-quilting—and then finding venues through which to sell the beautiful products that the women make. This simple approach has improved the lives of a growing group of women and young girls and provided them a community of support. It has also emboldened the women to reach out to share their story in their communities and now around the world. The women have created a series of seven story quilts that tell their experience of having a fistula, including the emotional suffering that occurs when they are rejected by their families as well as the joy of healing and finding support and solidarity with other survivors. These panels form the heart of the Fistula Art Exhibition, funded by the Fistula Foundation in partnership with Quilts for Empowerment; the goal is to raise awareness of this condition and its impact on women in developing countries. Eventually, the exhibit will make its way from Portland to New York City to be shown at the UN in 2020....
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All Souls’ EvensongOctober 31, 2019This beautiful, traditional service on Saturday, November 2, at 5:30 pm will be led by the St. Michael’s Singers and will feature choral works by William Byrd, Thomas Tallis and others on this Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos commemoration of the departed. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall....
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Episcopal 101October 31, 2019It’s time for another round of Episcopal 101, led by Associate Rector James Joiner, happening on four Tuesday evenings in November from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Raphael Room. During these gatherings, we’ll get to know the shape and history of our tradition and gain some insight into the practices which make us who we are as a particular kind of Christian people. We’ll cover a range of topics from Sunday morning liturgy, to how we make decisions as a denomination, to how we read the Bible and develop our theology. Newcomers have found this class to be a helpful way to address questions, and even old-timers appreciate the chance to revisit some of the reasons for why we do things the way we do. Registration is required, so please see the link here, in the most recent eblast, on our Facebook page or group, or by emailing James....
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Feast of All SaintsOctober 16, 2019On Sunday, November 3, we’ll continue with several traditions, both old and new. To the left of the Chancel, you’ll find the Book of Remembrance. Starting Sunday, October 20, please write in the names of loved ones who have died, and put an asterisk next to those who passed since last All Saints. Those names will be listed in the bulletins and read aloud during the services. You may also bring a small framed photo of a deceased loved one on October 27 and place it on the Altar de los Muertos, which will be set up in front of the main altar. Another special tradition is creating a great feast out of the favorite dishes of our deceased loved ones. If you’d like to honor someone from your life, you are encouraged to make one of their favorite dishes and share it at our All Saints reception between the 9:00 and 11:00 am services. You may also bring a small photo of those person to place next to the dish. Please let Paula know you’re bringing a dish and/or if you can help with the reception, at psrmelody@comcast.net....
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Upcoming Adult Ed OfferingsOctober 10, 2019There will be numerous opportunities in the next couple of months to stretch your brain, ask questions and interact with our clergy and other parishioners. Between now and Advent, there will be four Sunday morning Forums offered on the theme Doing and Undoing Theology which will take place on October 20 and 27, and November 10 and 24. These Forums will explore the ways that certain kinds of theology or ideas about God can creep into our thinking even when we haven’t intended to adopt them as our own. Ideas about God are everywhere, from movies and TV to social media to things we picked up from family and friends in our own development. How can we identify these implicit ideas about God at work in our minds and bring them into conversation with our study of scripture and our work together as a whole church? Join Associate Rector James Joiner in October and November at 10:15 am in the Parish Hall. Then on Tuesdays in November, Episcopal 101 will elaborate on many of the basic tenets of what being an Episcopalian is all about, and we’ll have a chance to dive deeper into certain topics like Sunday worship and church history. Watch for more details about the sessions and the clergy who will be leading them. This series for anyone interested, regardless of prior church affiliation, if any....
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Legacy Writing CircleOctober 2, 2019Legacy Writing is the opportunity to tell your story and impart your values, life lessons and wisdom. It is also the opportunity to share your love and blessings with family and future generations and to communicate to family and loved ones what matters most in your life. You’ll learn ways to document your unique legacy in a four-part weekly series to be offered on Tuesdays, October 8, 15, 22 & 29, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon in the Raphael Room. Attendance at all sessions is encouraged but not essential. The circle will be led by parishioner Mary C. Myers, Certified Legacy Writing Facilitator; no previous writing experience is necessary. To register or for more information, please email Mary at mcmyers1@comcast.net....
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Blessing of the AnimalsOctober 2, 2019Blessing of the Animals, October 2018 All are invited to come with their pets (real, virtual or a stuffed animal) to a St. Francis/Blessing of the Animals event hosted by Team L.I.F.E. on Saturday, October 5, at 11:00 am in the courtyard (weather permitting; otherwise in the Nativity Hall). There will be a pet talent show, and you can have a photo taken of you and your pet with St. Francis if you’d like!...
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Godly Play beginsOctober 2, 2019Godly Play 1 “feast” Godly Play classes begin on Sunday, October 6. Children in pre-K through fifth grade are invited to come to the lower-level classrooms at 10:10 am for Godly Play. This religious-education program uses Montessori-like methods to engage and nurture children in their spiritual development. In a Godly Play classroom, children are introduced to parables, sacred stories, liturgical action and contemplative silence to help them come close to God and to learn more about themselves and one another. Godly Play 1 is for children in pre-K through 1st grade; Godly Play 2 is for students in 2nd through 5th grades....
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Fall Ministries FairSeptember 19, 2019In the spring, the ministry leaders and staff of St. Michael’s offered an opportunity to learn more about some of the many ministries here. On Sunday, September 22, mostly different ministries will be represented by parishioners who will share with you—not recruit you—why they joined their ministry and the impact that it’s had on their lives and the lives of others. Some of the ministries that you may learn more about include Taizé Prayer Service, GreenFaith, Children & Families, Centering Prayer, the Music Program and others. Checking out the St. Michael’s ministries, May 2019 This will all happen between the morning services at 10:10 am. If you generally attend the 11:00 am service, we hope you’ll come to church early this day to sample our many ministries....
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Global Climate Strike + Advocacy ActionSeptember 16, 2019Here’s the latest about the Global Climate Strike as it pertains to St. Michael’s and Portland: EcoFaith Recovery and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon are hosting an interfaith service and gathering time prior to the Climate Strike on Friday, September 20, at Terry Schrunk Plaza from 10:00 to 10:30 am. Please feel free to join the interfaith community at the service wearing your St. Michael’s t-shirt (weather permitting) to facilitate meeting up with our community. We will have someone at the St. Michael’s gathering spot at 10:15 as announced in our flyers for the event to make sure we don’t have any strays. We will all plan to get together at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 10:30 and to march onward from there with the faith community. We apologize for the confusion. Much of the event planning for the Climate Strike has been very last minute. More information about the interfaith gathering and the Climate Strike is available here. After a brief summer hiatus, the Advocacy Action team is making plans to bring worthy topics to your attention this fall. We kicked off the season at our table on September 8, sharing information about #StrikeWithUs, the student-led Global Climate Strike Week of Action, which begins September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in New York City. Pick up a flyer on the Welcome Table to learn more, or to sign up to join the St. Michael’s group participating on September 20. You can also check out the local websites, Climate Strike Oregon and Portland Youth Climate Strike, to learn how to volunteer your time, money, or organizational skills to contribute to the success of this action. After a brief summer hiatus, the Advocacy Action team is making plans to bring worthy topics to your attention this fall. We kicked off the season at our table on September 8, sharing information about #StrikeWithUs, the student-led Global Climate Strike Week of Action, which begins September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in New York City. Pick up a flyer on the Welcome Table to learn more, or to sign up to join the St. Michael’s group participating on September 20. You can also check out the local websites, Climate Strike Oregon and Portland Youth Climate Strike, to learn how to volunteer your time, money, or organizational skills to contribute to the success of this action. Our Second Sunday Tables were quite successful during the first six months of 2019: 80 to 100 people each month stopped by to sign letters and postcards. Actions included assisting St. Michael’s Health Care for All Oregon team in February and getting parishioners involved in making boxes for the Soul Box Project commemorating victims of gun violence in May. We sent letters to Federal legislators opposing drilling in the Arctic while advocating for the cause of the Gwinch’in People of Alaska (January); and opposing a war with Iran (June). Oregon legislators received our letters backing gun-control legislation in May; and concerning bills supporting clean energy jobs, supporting the extension of the moratorium on offshore drilling, and opposing an exemption to allow small modular nuclear reactors in March. Finally, we paused to give thanks—with individually signed postcards to Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley—for our Senators’ backing of the Green New Deal (April). Signing letters to our elected officials You’ll also have a chance to learn more about our activities during the Ministries Fair on September 22. Visit our table to learn more about upcoming actions planned for October and November. We are always open to new voices, so stop by and let us know what issues concern you; or drop by a meeting – 7:00 pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Most importantly, we thank all of YOU who participated in our actions by signing letters and postcards. We will continue to bring you important actions in the coming months and look forward to your continued support....
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Celebrating 25 years of the MisaSeptember 16, 2019Confirmations at the Bishop’s Visit, June 2019 The 1:00 pm Spanish-language Misa, or Mass with Eucharist, began at St. Michael’s 25 years ago, originally organized and supported by Fr. John Scannell and Deacon Marla McGarry-Lawrence. In the ensuing years, a strong community has developed and is now flourishing with Padre Beto Arciniega at the helm. He is assisted by strong lay leaders, some of whom are original members. Kermesse, or carnival, to support St. Michael’s in July 2018 The community now has its own choir (Coro), a weekly prayer group, fundraisers throughout the year to benefit St. Michael’s, and annual celebrations which include Día de los Muertos, Las Posadas, Día de los Niños, el domingo de Oscar Romero and Nuestra Virgin de Guadalupe. Also celebrated during the year are many bautismos (baptisms), XV Años (for 15-year-old girls), confirmaciónes (confirmations) and bodas (weddings), as well as memorial Misas for loved ones who have died. The community gathers most Sundays after the Misa for a convivio, a meal prepared and served by parishioners on a rotating schedule. The St. Michael’s community is invited to learn more about this diverse group of parishioners and help them celebrate. The week kicked off with a Forum at 10:10 am on Sunday, September 15, with presentations from several groups, including Los Promotores de Salud (Health Promoters), Salvadoreños Unidos en Oregon, the Misa Coro (Choir) and IWC. On Tuesday, September 17, at 6:00 pm, the community will offer an evening of music from several countries and a meal including tamales and horchata. Finally, on Sunday, September 22, following the 1:00 Misa with Eucharist, all are welcome to come to the courtyard and spend time with each other and enjoy dishes that represent many countries (or states in Mexico) in Latin America....
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