The missional efforts of Family Promise of Metro East, supported by the Portland Congregation and the international work of the North American Climate Justice Team have been awarded Bold Moves Grants in the Fall Cycle of 2022. The recipients began their work in 2020 and 2019 respectively with the help of seed money provided by their original grants. The grants just awarded are both renewal ones, allowed under Bold Moves Guidelines, that encourage them to continue the outstanding missional work each group is providing.
Family Promise of Metro East (FPME) is dedicated to helping families experiencing homelessness in NE and SE Portland achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. They are a new affiliate of Family Promise, a national organization working to serve the needs of children and their families experiencing homelessness. Over the last three years, Portland Community of Christ has been an integral partner in the formation of Family Promise of Metro East. Today, the Portland congregation hosts the FPME Day Center and organizational headquarters.
Through its extremely informative webinar series, the North American Climate Justice Team has brought together experts in various areas of climate justice with members and friends of Community of Christ around the world. Their focus is to raise awareness of the climate crisis we face, while still maintaining an attitude of hope. The team continues to seek to increase knowledge and understanding of:
- Why and how climate is being disrupted.
- Actions that will help mitigate increase in carbon emissions
- The effect on various populations and the unjust impact on marginalized communities
- Spiritual disciplines and strategies for dealing with fear, despair and hopelessness
- Personal changes in lifestyle required and a call for advocacy/activism.
Its hope is to empower participants to make a difference and challenge them to envision God’s future and take steps to bring about a New Creation.
On behalf of the GPNW Mission Center, the Bold Moves Grants Committee is pleased to award the grants and wish both recipients continued success.