By Sean Langdon In the fall of 2020, the Bridge of Hope Strategic Planning Team for the Greater Pacific Northwest USA Mission Center followed a nudge to not just focus on how we were going to raise funds to meet our funding goal but also discern a “Bridge of Hope” to the future of who…
By Sean Langdon In January 2019, Nadia Bolz-Weber released “Shameless: A Sexual Reformation”. The description for this book reads as follows, “Christians are obsessed with sex. But not in a good way. For nearly two thousand years, this obsession has often turned destructive, inflicting pain, suffering, and guilt on countless people of all persuasions and…
The Sponsor Circle Program is a community-led resettlement initiative that allows everyday Americans to take on the responsibility of welcoming an Afghan newcomer to their communities. An emergency response launched to ensure that all arriving Afghans receive welcome and support, the Sponsor Circle Program pairs Afghan newcomers with community groups eager to provide support. As…
By Ashley Whitham At the beginning of Lent, I shared in a “Coffeeshop Conversations” worship with some friends about our Lent journeys. At the end, I was lamenting that I didn’t know what to give up, because the thought of trying to track an addition or subtraction from my daily life would likely add to…
By Ashley Whitham On social media these days, I see a lot of people angry and hurting from interactions with Christians. Some of it stems from childhood, some more recent. Hate-filled comments online cursing strangers to hell and denouncing their lives as sinful leaves a bad taste in just about everyone’s mouth. And when I…
Youth Camps are part of our rich camping tradition within Community of Christ. They provide an opportunity for children and youth to gather in safe space to learn, nurture, and grow in their relationship with God, self, and others. We are offering 4 youth camps and 4 reunions at our 3 campgrounds this summer. Register…
Reunions are part of our rich camping tradition within Community of Christ. They provide an opportunity to gather in sacred community for play, worship, discipleship formation, and fellowship as we rekindle friendships and create new ones. We offer three family reunions for anyone to attend at each of our campgrounds as well as a reunion…
“Our Stories” – A reflection by Ashley Whitham When we’re tots and toddlerswe live in our parents’ stories.Their lives are our worlds. When we’re full of wonder and questions,stories from books, tv, moviesexpand our imaginations to an even bigger world. When we start to live our stories,we trip and fall,stumbling over ideals and expectations. When…
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Media Release PORTLAND, ORE., March 1, 2022—Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) announces the launch of a new website, faithandthevaccine.org, featuring short video testimonies from over 25 Oregon faith leaders in support of the COVID-19 vaccines, as the pandemic continues unabated. Faith leaders give a wide variety of compelling reasons for vaccination. While…
As we begin to move beyond the pandemic existence that has limited so many things, is now the time to begin planning for engaging in some Fresh Expressions of mission in your congregation’s community? A Bold Moves Grant may be just the boost you need to bring your plans to life. Applications for grants in…